Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 38

38

Cheng Youqing finally found some time and learned about the commotion at the banquet the other day, where a group of people got into a heated argument over gossip about her and the alpha she had brought into the family.

Assistant Xiao Zhang was furious: “They gossip about you behind your back all the time, and that’s bad enough, but to cause a scene over something like this at such an occasion? Yinuo isn’t an unreasonable kid, so their words must have been particularly nasty.”

“Jealousy always breeds slander.” Cheng Youqing said, brushing it off.

Cheng Youqing didn’t care much about what others said about her. They weren’t even in the same league as her; her usual interactions were with the parents of those young gossipers. Even if their parents gossiped about her, she wasn’t fazed. In the business world, money was either yours or someone else’s—there were no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. Rather than dwelling on what people said about her in private, she was more concerned with how much profit they could concede in business deals.

However, compared to gossip about herself, she was far more intrigued by the rumors surrounding Luo Hetu.

“Chun Yuyan.” Cheng Youqing murmured, narrowing her eyes in thought. “Why is that granddaughter of the Zhong family still so obsessed with Luo Hetu?”

“You’ve seen the investigation results.” Xiao Zhang said. “She and her boyfriend keep stirring up trouble for Miss Luo.”

“They’re getting a bit too bold.” Cheng Youqing concluded.

As for the consequences of such boldness? The fact that Zhang Sheng’s development project had changed hands was just the first step. Cheng Youqing was well-informed and had already pieced together most of the story behind Zhang Sheng, Chun Yuyan, and Luo Hetu. She also knew about Zhang Sheng’s damaged glands, which had landed him in the hospital, and how Chun Yuyan repeatedly pestered Luo Hetu to visit him there.

Pouring all her funds into a single project was a calculated move on Cheng Youqing’s part, but it could also be seen as a gesture of support for the alpha who had just married into her family. She didn’t care about gossip regarding her personal life, but if someone dared to scheme against those under her protection, they shouldn’t be surprised when she put the younger generation in their place.

As for this Xu Ruyan…

One alpha was gone, and now an omega had appeared. Ye Qingzhu and Luo Hetu were close enough to practically share the same pants, but they were likely just friends. Xu Ruyan, on the other hand, was harder to pin down.

Luo Hetu sure attracted a lot of attention.

After finishing her work, Cheng Youqing visited Sun Jin’s house that evening.

Sun Jin said, “I had to work late today too. Just got home, too tired to cook. Sun Yinuo’s been eating instant noodles.”

Cheng Youqing nodded. “I’ll skip dinner here and eat at home.”

Sun Jin grinned at her. “Married life’s really changed you, huh? You used to never talk about eating at home—always mooching off my food. You haven’t changed your housekeeper, so who’re you going home to see?”

“My legally wedded alpha.” Cheng Youqing replied matter-of-factly. “Checking in on them isn’t a big deal. Better than ogling someone else’s omega.”

She called out to Sun Yinuo, “Don’t rush off to your room yet. I’ve got some questions for you.”

With permission granted, Sun Yinuo grabbed a bag of snacks, plopped onto the sofa, and began vividly recounting the events of the banquet.

When she finally finished, Cheng Youqing had gathered plenty of details. Seizing the moment, she asked, “You and Xu Ruyan are classmates, right?”

“Yup.”

“Does she like Luo Hetu?”

Sun Yinuo froze, her eyes darting nervously. “Uh, maybe?”

Cheng Youqing just stared at her.

Unable to withstand her sister’s gaze, Sun Yinuo quickly caved. “Alright, she probably does like Teacher Xiao Luo, but she doesn’t talk to me about it. I’m just guessing! She might’ve confessed once, but it probably didn’t work out, because she was pretty moody for a while and kept hanging around Shanhe Tuling. Then it fizzled out—classic rejection vibe. But later, her mood seemed to improve for some reason. She doesn’t say much, so I don’t pry.”

Cheng Youqing let out a hum. “That’s as good as saying nothing.”

Stung by her sister’s dismissal, Sun Yinuo decided to push back. “But Xu Ruyan gets free access to Qianbao, you know. I heard Teacher Xiao Luo pulled some strings with the Qianbao folks, so they don’t charge her. She’s on great terms with them now. Once, I went with her and some other classmates, and the Qianbao staff called her ‘Sister Xu.’”

Cheng Youqing’s expression remained unreadable, but Sun Yinuo knew her sister well enough to sense her displeasure when she wasn’t smiling.

Ha.

Could my brilliant, formidable cousin actually be jealous of Teacher Xiao Luo?

Ha, my sister’s got her day coming!

Fresh off a summer of binge-watching melodramatic TV series after the college entrance exams, Sun Yinuo was in a state of shipping frenzy with no outlet. Her excitement bubbled over as she cautiously fanned the flames: “You don’t need to overthink it. Compared to you, Xu Ruyan doesn’t stand a chance. Anyone with eyes would pick you—you’re way prettier.”

Cheng Youqing didn’t take the bait and left Sun Jin’s house shortly after.

Back home that evening, Aunt Wang cheerfully set out the freshly cooked dishes, echoing Sun Jin’s sentiment: “Marriage really changes people. You’re taking better care of yourself and coming home more often.”

Cheng Youqing spotted Luo Hetu coming downstairs in pajamas, her hair tousled from sleep. Her tone softened instinctively. “Didn’t go out today?”

“Nope, followed your orders—eat, sleep, repeat.” Luo Hetu said, scratching her head as she sat at the dining table.

Aunt Wang praised her: “Miss Luo’s so obedient. She finished all the tonic soup I made for her. Eats whatever I give her.”

Cheng Youqing looked at the supposedly obedient figure now seated, pulling the rice bowl closer. She looked like an utterly compliant, beautiful kid.

Her mood lifted unconsciously.

Dinner passed quietly. Afterward, Cheng Youqing went upstairs, changed, showered, and then knocked on Luo Hetu’s door.

Luo Hetu wasn’t in her bedroom.

Cheng Youqing found her in the study they’d set up for her. Sure enough, there she was, engrossed in her computer.

Aunt Li had mentioned that aside from movers bringing in furniture and cleaning, Luo Hetu had arranged everything in the study herself. It was Cheng Youqing’s first time seeing it. The floor was covered with a warm gray carpet, a single sofa sat by the window, and a warm yellow light bulb hung from a cord for reading. Soft cushions were scattered everywhere, making the space cozy. The desk was large, and Luo Hetu sat slouched in her chair, fingers flying across the keyboard. Notebooks and papers were strewn about, with scribbles and doodles here and there.

When she saw Cheng Youqing, Luo Hetu grinned. “Welcome to my domain.”

“What’re you working on?”

“Oh, just messing around.” Luo Hetu said, closing a chat window with someone overseas buying her hacking services.

With internet access, her possibilities were endless. Over the past few days, her fingers had been itching, and she’d taken on several jobs, earning a decent sum. Her reputation was growing on foreign forums, with many marveling that China, so recently connected to the internet, already had such a skilled hacker. Some foreign organizations were even trying to recruit her.

Cheng Youqing didn’t press further. She prided herself on giving her partner enough space, especially since she was often too busy to tend to their emotions.

She had come with a purpose. “There’s a dinner tomorrow night. Come with me.”

Luo Hetu scratched her cheek. “What’s the occasion? What should I do?”

“It’s about the development rights for the east side of the city. The paperwork’s in motion, but business isn’t just about paperwork—relationships matter. Tomorrow, I’m hosting some important people for dinner. It’ll look better if you’re there with me.”

As her legal spouse, it was only natural for Luo Hetu to accompany her to such events. She agreed.

That night, neither brought up the topic of top-tier alphas. Luo Hetu had adjusted her mindset, deciding to focus on doing her part. Whatever Cheng Youqing chose to do was her business—Luo Hetu neither could nor needed to force her hand.

The next evening, Cheng Youqing sat in the car outside their home, waiting for Luo Hetu while handling work calls. The car door opened, and Luo Hetu slid in beside her.

She was wearing the outfit Cheng Youqing had picked out for her that morning before work: a stylish striped shirt and dark trousers. Cheng Youqing’s makeup artist had come by earlier to apply light makeup, accentuating her slim waist and long legs. As a top-tier alpha, her pheromones were naturally potent, but she’d applied a high-quality suppressant patch, leaving only a faint scent of rain-soaked bamboo.

Cheng Youqing gave her a once-over, quietly pleased.

She spent the drive handling business calls while Luo Hetu gazed curiously and quietly at the passing street scenery. When they arrived, Luo Hetu got out first and opened the car door for Cheng Youqing.

Cheng Youqing, already changed into a black qipao at the office, stepped out gracefully, her slender calves catching the light. She glanced at Luo Hetu with a playful look. “Where’d you learn that?”

“Didn’t need to learn. It’s just what I should do.” Luo Hetu replied.

Heh, she sure knows how to charm.

Cheng Youqing’s lips curved slightly as she took Luo Hetu’s arm.

Luo Hetu glanced at her. Today, Cheng Youqing’s dark hair was pinned back with a jade hairpin.

They were headed to the National Hotel. On her first day in the city, Luo Hetu had stood across the street at a small shop, sipping orange soda in a T-shirt and flip-flops, watching Cheng Youqing step out of a car in a qipao, ascending the hotel steps with slow, elegant grace.

She couldn’t help but glance back at the shop across the street. The male omega owner was still there, lounging in a chair, fanning himself while watching TV.

In a fleeting moment, it felt like nothing had changed—yet here she was, arm in arm with Cheng Youqing, her alpha.

“What are you looking at?” Cheng Youqing tugged at her shirt sleeve. “Another omega?”

Luo Hetu blinked, baffled. “Where’d that come from?”

“Heh.”

Heh, what?

Luo Hetu was utterly confused as the two waiters opened the doors for them.

The dinner was held in an elegantly decorated private room, with nearly ten guests—officials and business associates alike. The table was laden with exorbitantly priced delicacies and high-end white liquor poured generously. With so many people—alphas, betas, and omegas—the air grew thick with a mix of alcohol, smoke, and mingling pheromones.

Cheng Youqing was in her element, speaking eloquently and drinking freely. By the end, she was personally toasting each guest with a decanter of liquor. Luo Hetu, following her instructions, drank sparingly, ate plenty, and kept quiet. Most of the time, she watched Cheng Youqing tilt her elegant neck, her red lips parting to down glass after glass of grain liquor. Even when tipsy, Cheng Youqing barely showed it—only a slight flush at her earlobes and a brief moment of unsteadiness when she leaned lightly on Luo Hetu, her breath warm and tinged with the scent of alcohol.

Luo Hetu handed her a glass of mineral water she’d prepared earlier, which Cheng Youqing drank.

She then swapped her plate with Cheng Youqing’s, offering her deboned fish, peeled shrimp, and shelled sea urchin.

As Cheng Youqing ate, a tipsy official, still eager to drink, approached to toast her again. She smiled and raised her glass, but Luo Hetu gently wrapped an arm around her waist from behind.

“Let her eat a bit first. I’ll drink this one with you.” Luo Hetu said, standing.

“Haha, first time meeting you today, but I’ve heard about you,” the official said. “Cheng’s place must be pretty grand, huh? Getting used to living there?”

He was poking fun at her status as a live-in son-in-law.

Luo Hetu didn’t miss a beat. “They feed me, house me, and Cheng’s good to me. I’m so happy I forget the world outside. Only regret is not getting married sooner.”

The official choked on her brazen “kept man” declaration and changed the subject. “I heard Miss Luo’s a defective alpha. I’m an alpha too—how’s that working out for you? I know an old traditional doctor. I could take you to him someday; maybe he can fix you up, save you some trouble.”

Luo Hetu had no idea how the rumor of her being a “defective alpha” had spread or why this potbellied alpha cared, but she never took such things to heart. Smiling, she replied, “No need. My Cheng likes me just fine as a defective alpha. If you fixed me, she’d be upset, probably come after you for it and then go find another defective alpha who suits her taste. I’d advise you to steer clear of that trouble—my wife’s got quite a temper.”