Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 4

4

Early the next morning, people were already waiting there. Today, Luo Hetu brought five copies of The Poisonous Concubine’s Daughter and ten copies of Reborn as the Prime Minister of the Dynasty.

“New books, new books! Follow Xiao Xiami’s journey from rags to riches through the imperial exams to become the Prime Minister! Only ten copies today, first come, first served!”

A crowd surged forward, and in less than half an hour, everything was sold out.

“Little boss, don’t you have one more book in your hand? Not selling it?” someone asked.

Luo Hetu raised her innocent face and replied, “This one’s reserved for Sister Ye.”

The questioner immediately shut their mouth.

Someone who had bought The Poisonous Concubine’s Daughter yesterday hurried back, exclaiming, “Little boss, your book isn’t complete! This is just the first part!”

“Yeah, the rest hasn’t been printed yet,” Luo Hetu answered.

“Why not print it?!” the customer cried out in frustration.

Luo Hetu mirrored their distress. “Because I don’t have enough money!”

The system could only earn her a maximum of 150 gold coins per night through tasks, and printing one book cost 10 gold coins. That meant she could only print 15 books a day—what could she do?

But hunger marketing had been her plan all along. Selling slowly like this wasn’t so bad.

Over the past two days, Luo Hetu’s stall had drawn a big crowd. Those who couldn’t buy books lingered to chat with her, asking if she was the author “Xiao Luo” mentioned in the books, whether she’d come back tomorrow, and how many parts each book had. Luo Hetu answered each question patiently, explaining that Xiao Luo was a genius writer but came from a poor family. Printing was expensive, and this was a small business—she hoped everyone enjoyed the books, and she’d be back to set up her stall every day.

After waiting for a while, Ye Qingzhu still hadn’t shown up. Instead, someone Luo Hetu didn’t want to see appeared.

Chun Yuyan looked surprised. “Hetu, what are you doing selling things here?”

Luo Hetu didn’t respond, her eyes involuntarily drifting to the person beside Chun Yuyan.

A woman stood there quietly, her deep, captivating eyes fixed on Luo Hetu.

Suddenly, Luo Hetu caught a scent—like the comforting smell of a fluffy pet after a bath, warmed by the sun. Her nose twitched, her throat tightened, and she felt a strange heat rising within her.

Though Luo Hetu hadn’t differentiated yet, she could still detect pheromones.

Normally, people wore suppression patches, as essential as underwear in civilized society. In crowded, sweaty places, faint traces of pheromones might leak out and mix, but those smells Luo Hetu could tolerate.

To clearly sense someone’s pheromones was rare. The only other time was when Chun Yuyan had deliberately teased her, letting her pheromones slip out. And now, this was the second time.

Luo Hetu stared at the woman, transfixed. She was stunningly beautiful, her long hair pinned back with a jade hairpin, her brows like delicate ink strokes, her face radiant as the moon. Her demeanor was cool and detached, yet the slight upward tilt of her eyes suggested that a smile from her would be utterly captivating.

She didn’t belong in a bustling market or among a crowd scrambling for novels. She should be stepping out of a luxurious car, her slender, pale legs descending gracefully, ascending the steps of a glamorous hotel, handing her shawl to an attendant.

Even though she wasn’t wearing a qipao today, Luo Hetu recognized her instantly—she was the woman she’d glimpsed outside the National Hotel that day.

Even from a distance, Luo Hetu was certain there couldn’t be another woman like her in this city.

Lost in her thoughts, she ignored Chun Yuyan’s words. Annoyed and unwilling to let it go, Chun Yuyan suppressed her frustration and turned to the cold beauty beside her. “Auntie, let’s go. It’s too crowded here.”

Auntie?

Was there such a character in the book?

The cold beauty didn’t leave. Instead, she stopped looking at Luo Hetu, her eyes lowering, her thick lashes fluttering slightly. Luo Hetu’s heart skipped a beat.

“Can I take a look?” she asked, referring to the last book reserved for Ye Qingzhu.

Luo Hetu hesitated before replying, “Sorry, this one’s reserved for someone else.”

The woman’s voice was clear and melodious, though devoid of inflection, as cold as her demeanor. “Just a look.”

Luo Hetu shook her head. “If you look and want it, I’d seem unreasonable if I didn’t give it to you, but then I’d have to explain to the person I promised it to. I’ll reserve one for you tomorrow, sister.”

Someone in the crowd teased, “Little boss, don’t just reserve books for pretty sisters! Reserve one for me too!”

The crowd burst into laughter. Luo Hetu, a young and cute Alpha, stared at the beautiful Omega without blinking, yet her attitude remained neither servile nor overbearing, sticking to her principles. Everyone found her amusing.

The cold beauty said nothing more, gave Luo Hetu one last glance, and left.

Chun Yuyan shot Luo Hetu a glare before hurrying after her.

Luo Hetu hadn’t spared her a single glance today. For years, Chun Yuyan had been cherished by Luo Hetu—when had she ever been treated like this? But with her “auntie” present, someone she rarely saw and needed to impress, she didn’t dare make a scene. Otherwise, she would’ve demanded an explanation from Luo Hetu right then and there. Luo Hetu had always been gentle and never spoke harshly to her. That day when she said they’d cut contact, it must’ve been someone else’s instigation. With a little effort, Chun Yuyan was sure she could win her back.

Once they were gone, Luo Hetu let out a sigh of relief, only to see Ye Qingzhu pushing through the crowd.

“You’re finally here!” Luo Hetu handed her the book. “I almost couldn’t save it for you.”

Ye Qingzhu, impressed by Luo Hetu’s loyalty—especially after rejecting that woman—patted her with the book approvingly. “Not bad! Sold out already? I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Luo Hetu had no resistance to food.

With the books sold out, she told the crowd she’d be back tomorrow, then followed Ye Qingzhu through the market to a small food stall. Ye Qingzhu ordered with familiarity, and Luo Hetu dug in, devouring a plate of fried rice and most of the two dishes. Smacking her lips, she kindly asked Ye Qingzhu, “Are you still hungry?”

Ye Qingzhu: “…Of course I’m not full, but aren’t you still hungry?”

Luo Hetu grinned cheekily.

So they ordered two more dishes.

“Why sell books like this? Why not submit them to a publisher?” Ye Qingzhu asked.

Luo Hetu knew Ye Qingzhu was involved in some shady investments, so she was surprised she knew about publishers. “I did, but the review process is slow. I’m idle anyway, so selling books daily earns me some money.”

She was making at least 100 yuan a day, which meant over 3,000 yuan a month—an astronomical income in this era when even housing cost only 1,000 yuan per square meter.

Ye Qingzhu leaned in. “Be honest, are you the one writing these books? I feel like you’re different from others. I dropped out early, but I love reading. I’ve checked out every bookstall in this market, and I’ve even read classics.”

She listed a few famous titles, then continued excitedly, “Classics are rich and profound, but they’re heavy to read. Your books are relaxing—you can’t put them down. They may not compare to classics, but that’s not to say they’re bad. Making people unable to stop reading? That’s your talent.”

Luo Hetu, sipping an orange soda after finishing her meal, asked, “You’re praising me so much because you want more books, don’t you?”

Ye Qingzhu grinned. “Yup.”

Luo Hetu tilted her head. “I’m curious about something too. You’re an Alpha, right?”

“Yeah, aren’t you?” Ye Qingzhu sniffed lightly. “You smell like an Alpha, but it’s a bit faint.”

Luo Hetu had never noticed her own scent. Curious, she asked, “Is that my pheromone? I haven’t differentiated yet, so I don’t even know what my pheromone smells like.”

Ye Qingzhu was surprised. “You just blurted out something so private? You’re too naive.”

Was it private?

“Undifferentiated Alphas are considered ‘useless Alphas,’ but their glands are valuable,” Ye Qingzhu explained.

Valuable glands?

“No one taught you this?” Ye Qingzhu’s expression softened, likely guessing Luo Hetu was an orphan. In a gentler tone, she continued, “The glands of undifferentiated Alphas are a big boost for other Alphas. If extracted and processed into a potion, they can significantly enhance an Alpha’s rank.”

This wasn’t in the book.

“ABO ranks exist. Generally, higher ranks mean greater potential. Top-tier Alphas have exceptional physical abilities—most national athletes are high-ranking Alphas. Top-tier Omegas are incredibly intelligent; over half of the students admitted to top universities like Tsinghua and Peking are high-ranking Omegas. High-ranking Betas have balanced emotional and intellectual intelligence—most high-ranking officials are Betas.”

“Of course, rank is just potential. Hard work matters too. But rank also affects something else.”

Ye Qingzhu glanced at Luo Hetu and lowered her voice. “How old are you?”

“22.”

“Ever been in a relationship?”

Luo Hetu shook her head, then remembered Zhang Sheng, the Omega who’d misunderstood her feelings and whose Alpha boyfriend had harassed her. “There was this Omega who thought I liked her. Her Alpha boyfriend kept bothering me, but that’s it.”

Ye Qingzhu scoffed. “That’s nothing—just clingy nonsense. Doesn’t count.” Clearing her throat, she whispered, “Since we’re both Alphas, and your situation is unique, I’m telling you this to warn you. During heat cycles, high-ranking pheromones have a strong effect on lower ranks, especially in that area. It’s a real, tangible advantage.”

Luo Hetu: …

So she was basically a walking aphrodisiac?

“So be careful.” Ye Qingzhu warned softly. “Don’t casually tell people you’re an undifferentiated Alpha. You smell like an Alpha, so unless you say it, no one will know.”

Luo Hetu’s expression darkened. She thought of Chun Yuyan and Zhang Sheng, who kept pushing her to visit Zhang Sheng’s sister’s hospital. Were they after this?

“You’re an Alpha too. Knowing I’m an undifferentiated Alpha, don’t you have any thoughts?” she asked.

Ye Qingzhu looked disdainful. “Extracting glands is a capital crime. I may be a thug, but I have principles. I manage my crew with clear boundaries—some things we do, but crossing red lines is a no-go. Besides, why would I need higher potential? I’m happy with my life.” She patted Luo Hetu’s head. “Had enough to eat? Want more? Also, do you have the next part of yesterday’s book? Don’t forget to bring it for me.”

…

And just like that, Luo Hetu somehow became friends with Ye Qingzhu.

Though the book didn’t explain how “Xiao Luo” won over Ye Qingzhu and her crew to work for Zhang Sheng, Luo Hetu was content with this outcome. Ye Qingzhu was tough but principled and loyal, treating her well. Luo Hetu had no interest in “taming” anyone—being friends was perfect. With Ye Qingzhu’s influence in the area, her book-selling business could thrive.

Her books grew increasingly popular. People came from far away, biking or taking buses to buy them. While they could photocopy others’ copies, it was expensive, and with limited copies available, people were reluctant to lend them out. Rumor had it some were reselling her books—Luo Hetu sold them for 15 yuan, but resellers were getting 30 yuan per copy.

Hearing this, Luo Hetu thought: I priced them too low.

Now, Ye Qingzhu’s crew hung around her stall too, asking her to reserve books for them daily. Luo Hetu refused, saying reserving one was hard enough—she couldn’t reserve for everyone, or she’d have nothing to sell.

Ye Qingzhu barked at them, “Get lost! Want books? Line up and buy them like everyone else. Don’t mess with Xiao Luo’s business.”

So her crew joined the queue, yawning and waiting for Luo Hetu to arrive with her folding stool and books.

As her fame grew, more people waited for her daily. After careful consideration and “bonding” with her system, Little Bucket, she earned enough gold coins from daily tasks to print 20 books a day. She didn’t introduce new titles, sticking to the first parts of her two books, then slowly releasing parts two through five—enough to keep her going for half a year.

That day, as usual, she arrived at the market in her faded T-shirt, oversized shorts, and canvas shoes, carrying her books and stool. But in the crowd, she spotted Chun Yuyan and Zhang Sheng.

Ugh, bad luck.