Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 34

34

After a busy day, Cheng Youqing was summoned by the shareholders for an impromptu board meeting due to her impulsive actions, which had sparked discussions about the future direction of the company, with some even hinting at forcing her to step down. Meanwhile, outside the Cheng Corporation, in the bustling nightlife of Jiang City, where glittering lights illuminated high-end hotels and estates, Cheng Youqing’s name was on everyone’s lips amid clinking glasses and lively chatter.

“She really took in a live-in alpha?”

“It’s true. They say that alpha only had a single bag of belongings and moved into her house wearing just a T-shirt.”

“Chen Yuanyuan saw her and said the alpha looks decent, but just decent.”

“Hmph, as if Cheng Youqing lacks good-looking people.”

“She’s probably gone mad, hasn’t she?”

“Cheng Corporation is going to be ruined by her.”

“They should send her to a mental hospital for a check-up. She’s a top-tier Omega, single for so long—she must have messed up her hormones with all those suppressants. Her personality’s warped, and her brain’s gone dull.”

“Cheng Corporation’s stock price seems to have dropped.”

“It’s all insiders selling off. A top-tier Omega really isn’t suited to manage a company. During her heat, isn’t she just…”

…

This storm in the business world quickly became the talk of the town, and Chun Yuyan naturally heard about it.

She wasn’t particularly shocked. Although she knew Cheng Youqing was looking to marry an alpha, as her nominal “aunt,” Chun Yuyan had only ever exchanged a few words with her. Cheng Youqing, the chairman of Cheng Corporation, rarely spoke to anyone besides her mother and Old Sun, and she had no time or interest in socializing with the rest of the Sun family. So, despite it being major news in the industry, Chun Yuyan merely noted it with mild surprise and didn’t dwell on it.

Her entire focus was on Zhang Sheng achieving greatness. She had a premonition that Zhang Sheng’s future accomplishments would surpass even the Cheng Corporation. After all, the Cheng Corporation was on the decline, slipping further down Jiang City’s rankings, while Zhang Sheng was a rising star.

If only his gland hadn’t been damaged.

Zhang Sheng had already discovered that his rival was responsible for his injury and had retaliated in his own way. However, his damaged gland was slow to heal, and the injury had taken a significant toll on both his physical condition and his mental state.

Zhang Sheng was becoming increasingly moody and unpredictable, his methods growing more ruthless. Fortunately, no matter how he changed, he remained devoted to Chun Yuyan, and their deep love for each other was something she never doubted.

Chun Yuyan and Zhang Sheng only knew one “useless alpha,” Luo Hetu, who paled in comparison to the handsome and capable Zhang Sheng. In their eyes, Luo Hetu’s useless gland was better put to use elsewhere. They figured they could compensate her generously with money and be done with it.

Unexpectedly, Luo Hetu had been avoiding them. Strangely enough, at some point, no matter how hard Chun Yuyan and Zhang Sheng searched, they couldn’t find her. Even when they went to great lengths to track down her rented apartment, it was empty. No one knew where she was or what she was doing.

Zhang Sheng, already emotionally volatile, had dispatched nearly all his available resources and connections to find Luo Hetu. He spent his days in the hospital, lashing out in frustration.

One morning, Chun Yuyan arrived at the hospital with a lunchbox wrapped in cloth. As soon as she entered the ward, she was met with Zhang Sheng’s dark, brooding gaze fixed on her.

“The chairman of Cheng Corporation—didn’t she just get married?” he asked.

“It’s not exactly news. Why bring it up?” she replied.

“Do you know who she married?”

Zhang Sheng, who had his fingers in both the legitimate and shady sides of Jiang City, had some influence. He had a gut feeling that Luo Hetu must have aligned herself with some powerful figure; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so well-protected. But if he was determined to find her, it wasn’t entirely impossible to uncover some trace.

He sneered. “Your dear Aunt Cheng, the chairman, actually married a useless alpha. Don’t you find that laughable? Care to guess who this useless alpha is?”

“The one who was chasing you relentlessly, only to stop suddenly, turn around, and latch onto Cheng Youqing—and even marry her? No wonder I couldn’t find her anywhere. Cheng Youqing’s been protecting her quietly, keeping everything under wraps. Plus, she’s so unremarkable that it took this long to track her down. Yan’er, tell me, am I still dreaming, or are you? Or has Cheng Youqing lost her mind, or is Luo Hetu not even human?”

The ward fell silent. Chun Yuyan stood frozen, but more than shock, she shared Zhang Sheng’s sentiment: this had to be some kind of cosmic joke.

At seven in the evening, Cheng Youqing returned home to find the living room lit and the sound of laughter and conversation.

She initially thought it was the two housekeepers chatting, but they usually watched TV or did some knitting at this hour, rarely laughing like this.

Looking over, she saw Luo Hetu sitting on the sofa, chatting with the two housekeepers about something—likely the plot of the Hong Kong drama playing on the TV.

Seeing her return, Aunt Wang stood up. “Have you eaten? We made soup today.”

Cheng Youqing hadn’t eaten and didn’t particularly want to, but before she could say she was going to rest, Luo Hetu had already gone to the kitchen and brought out the soup pot.

A savory aroma filled the air, the warm yellow glow of the living room lights casting a cozy ambiance. The two housekeepers tactfully left, leaving only the alpha in pajamas Cheng Youqing had bought for her, hair loose, face bare, smiling cleanly at her.

“Try some. I made it.” Luo Hetu said.

Cheng Youqing recalled the meal she’d had at Luo Hetu’s place, a rare sense of comfort resurfacing.

It was strange—only one day with an extra person in the house, and it already felt a bit like Luo Hetu’s home, brimming with the warmth of everyday life. Luo Hetu seemed to have a knack for this. She could make life feel vibrant, her cooking was delicious, and she was pretty and likable.

Cheng Youqing set her bag aside, not wanting to go upstairs to change. She took off her coat, washed her hands, and sat at the dining table.

Luo Hetu had already served her a bowl of soup.

It wasn’t made with expensive ingredients—just corn, pork ribs, yam, and goji berries. The soup shimmered faintly in the white porcelain bowl, looking unassuming. Cheng Youqing blew on it twice, took a sip, and her expression softened.

“Is it good?” Luo Hetu asked.

“Mm.” Cheng Youqing glanced at her.

Her eyes sparkled, like a puppy waiting for its owner’s praise.

Cheng Youqing deliberately withheld any further compliments. She scooped up a piece of rib with her spoon; it was so tender it fell off the bone. The corn was sweet and crisp—everything was delicious.

She finished the bowl and was about to wipe her mouth with a tissue when Luo Hetu asked, “Another bowl?”

Cheng Youqing looked at her again.

When she didn’t respond, Luo Hetu took her bowl and served another.

Just like at her rented apartment, this alpha somehow knew she wasn’t full yet.

After two bowls of soup, Cheng Youqing felt warm and satisfied, refusing to eat more. She grabbed her coat and bag and went upstairs.

After a shower and settling in, nearly an hour had passed. She was about to head to the study to review some documents when she noticed Luo Hetu’s door ajar.

This woman never seemed to close her door properly.

Cheng Youqing paused at her doorway, hesitated, then continued to the study.

Luo Hetu was new here and might need time to adjust, so Cheng Youqing decided not to meddle with her habits for now.

But just as she sat down in the study, there was a knock at the door.

Luo Hetu poked her head in. “Want some fruit?”

Cheng Youqing pursed her lips. “No.”

Even though people in this era weren’t overly conscious of dieting, Cheng Youqing had little desire for anything beyond her career. She ate moderately, only indulging slightly at Sun Jin’s or Luo Hetu’s homes.

She also knew it was best to avoid eating too much before bed to prevent stomach discomfort.

Luo Hetu let out an “oh” but slipped inside anyway. “Do you have a moment? I wanted to talk about something. You’re so busy during the day, I barely see you.”

Her tone carried a hint of playful grievance.

Perhaps because the evening’s meal had been satisfying, Cheng Youqing’s voice softened. “What is it?”

“The thing I mentioned a few days ago—developing the commercial district in the east of the city. Have you thought about it?”

Cheng Youqing leaned back in her chair, unusually relaxed as she looked at her. “Your reasons sound good, but they’re not compelling enough. I’m the chairman, but the board members have their own opinions. Convincing a cash-strapped company to invest in such a big project requires very strong justification.”

This stumped Luo Hetu. She wasn’t skilled in business, and she couldn’t exactly say the book she read guaranteed that street would be a goldmine. She also had no idea how much liquid capital Cheng Corporation had. It was an impossible task, but she just couldn’t bear to let that opportunity fall into Zhang Sheng’s hands.

“The reasons are what I said. I can’t come up with more,” she admitted. “If you’re really short on funds…”

She almost said she could chip in but quickly remembered her 400,000 debt and shut her mouth.

Besides, developing a commercial district wasn’t something a few hundred thousand could cover. At current market rates, it would take at least tens of millions.

Seeing her deflate, Cheng Youqing said, “You’re that set on me developing that land?”

“I just know it’ll make money.” Luo Hetu said earnestly, afraid Cheng Youqing wouldn’t believe her.

“And if it doesn’t?”

Luo Hetu didn’t know what to say. After a long pause, she offered, “If it doesn’t make money, I won’t take your living expenses.”

What a terrifying threat. Luo Hetu felt utterly powerless, lacking even the slightest leverage to negotiate with Cheng Youqing. She was supposed to be the “alpha,” but if “alpha” were an adjective, she was anything but.

Defeated, she muttered, “I’ll head back then.”

As she reached the door, Cheng Youqing’s voice came from behind. “I can agree to it, but I have an additional condition.”

Luo Hetu turned to look at her.

“Give me a shoulder massage.” Cheng Youqing said.