Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 48

48

Chen Yuanyuan handed the morning newspaper to Cheng Youqing: “I don’t believe you didn’t see this photo! Did you deliberately have it published? Cheng Youqing, I never thought getting married would make you this annoying.”

Cheng Youqing took the newspaper and glanced at it for a moment before letting out a small laugh. “I really didn’t see it. I was too busy today. I went straight to the construction site this morning and then had meetings all day.”

Luo Hetu nodded while taking the newspaper to examine it closely, clicking her tongue as she read. “It’s a pretty good shot. Too bad it’s not in color. Black-and-white really dulls our beauty. Can you get in touch with the photographer?”

“No big deal.” Cheng Youqing replied.

“It’d be nice if they could print us a copy.”

“Hmm, buying the film would work too.”

Chen Yuanyuan snapped, “Are you two even listening to me?!”

The news of Cheng Youqing and her “kept” alpha’s photo appearing in the evening paper spread quickly through Jiang City’s business circles.

There’s no need to elaborate on how others teased or mocked Cheng Youqing. Her daily work was constantly interrupted by prying or joking remarks from others. Depending on her mood, she would retort with a calm, indifferent jab, acting as if the fuss over her legitimate marriage was much ado about nothing. Those who came to snoop around left empty-handed, bored by her responses.

Later, word got around that Cheng Youqing had even brought her partner to work, keeping her by her side from morning to night. This behavior was considered even more outrageous than taking a “kept” alpha. Taking a kept alpha could at least be excused as keeping a pretty face at home while pursuing other alphas outside—no big deal. But for this person to accompany Cheng Youqing to work? That was soft-rice-eating taken to an extreme, a complete blurring of personal and professional boundaries. Such behavior was deemed utterly improper, and a chairman swayed by emotions was hard to trust when it came to revitalizing the Cheng Corporation.

The board of directors at Cheng Corporation scheduled another meeting.

Luo Hetu was unaware of all this. During her time at Cheng Corporation, she had received plenty of cold stares from the board members, but she knew how to prioritize. Her guiding principle was Cheng Youqing’s preferences—everyone else was irrelevant, mere ghosts and goblins. I don’t care if you like me or not. Good thing you don’t, because if you did, I’d have to waste energy explaining to my wife.

She was perfectly content eating her wife’s “soft rice” and clinging to her wife’s thigh. If anyone had a problem with it, they could try to fight her—not that they’d necessarily win.

She hadn’t forgotten about Zhang Hanyu, who was still in Sike. She made another trip there over the weekend. The male beta, left hanging for a few days, had lost his patience. This time, his business proposal was more thorough and detailed, and he offered more concessions.

Luo Hetu had already researched Hanyu Technology online over the past few days. After reviewing Zhang Hanyu’s plan and carefully evaluating it, she concluded that, from a modern perspective, Hanyu Technology had an absolute advantage for a comeback. Its development trajectory was strikingly similar to that of a real-world internet company in its early stages.

It was only struggling now because the internet was still new and not yet fully integrated into the market.

“How much money do you need me to invest?” she asked.

Zhang Hanyu sighed. “At this point, I’m in no position to demand a specific amount. Whatever you can give, I’ll take. I’m already selling off stocks. No matter how much you invest, you’ll be a major shareholder.”

Luo Hetu calculated her available funds. Excluding the debt she owed the bank for buying the storefront, her income from the Sike internet café and other shops amounted to nearly 600,000 yuan. Her hacking activities had also earned her about 200,000 yuan in foreign currency, though she’d need some maneuvering to convert it into domestic currency.

“I still have loans to pay off,” she said. “Right now, I have about 700,000 yuan.”

Zhang Hanyu let out a relieved breath. “700,000 is fine—it’s already a significant amount. With your Sike internet café as a money-making machine, can you invest more as you earn in the future?”

Luo Hetu replied succinctly, “Then let’s sign the contract.”

Since this was her first time making such a large investment, she decided to confirm the deal verbally for now. She rode her bicycle home to consult her wife.

When in doubt, ask the wife. The wife is all-knowing.

Cheng Youqing had gotten off work early that day. She had just stepped out of the car and entered the house when she asked if Luo Hetu was back. At that moment, the sound of bicycle brakes squeaked at the gate.

Luo Hetu’s hair was disheveled from riding, her small face flushed red from the wind.

Looking at her, Cheng Youqing asked, “Where did you ride from?”

“The internet café.”

“That’s at least an hour’s ride, isn’t it?”

“No, I’m fast—forty minutes.”

Cheng Youqing’s expression remained calm. “Is there no car at home for you to use? Xiao Zhang, arrange an alpha or beta driver tomorrow and give her the Audi.”

Luo Hetu protested, “No need. I usually just go out to collect some money or handle small errands. There’s no need for a car and driver.”

“You’re on Cheng Corporation’s payroll now. Don’t think about slacking off for no reason.”

Cheng Youqing walked inside, and Luo Hetu shrank her neck slightly. The wife’s upset.

She greeted Xiao Zhang and followed her inside.

During dinner, Cheng Youqing was quiet. Luo Hetu chatted briefly with the two aunties. After dinner, Cheng Youqing returned to her room, and Luo Hetu hurriedly went to her own bedroom to wash up thoroughly.

It was Saturday.

And her wife was upset.

And she had a favor to ask her wife.

She scrubbed herself clean, trimmed her nails, blow-dried her hair, and got herself ready before pushing open the door to Cheng Youqing’s bedroom.

The door opened, but the bedroom was empty.

Cheng Youqing was in the study.

Luo Hetu felt a bit nervous. If they were in the bedroom, things would likely turn playful after a bit of talking, and Cheng Youqing’s attitude would soften. But the study meant she was working.

People working were rarely in a good mood.

Luo Hetu quietly opened the study door, stepped inside, closed it behind her, and stood obediently. “I have something to talk to you about.”

Cheng Youqing glanced at her before returning her gaze to a folder. “I’m a bit busy.”

Still upset.

Luo Hetu recalled how Cheng Youqing used to be emotionally steady, rarely showing joy or anger. Lately, though, she seemed to get irritated more easily.

Luo Hetu quietly moved closer, standing behind her. “Let me massage your shoulders.”

Her hands rested on Cheng Youqing’s shoulders, pressing gently but firmly.

Cheng Youqing didn’t respond, propping her chin with one hand while reviewing documents and making notes with a fountain pen.

Luo Hetu stayed silent, knowing Cheng Youqing was deep in thought. She massaged with extra care. The neck beneath her hands was stiff, and the shoulder blades creaked audibly when pressed.

How did she let her neck and shoulders get this bad?

A while back, Luo Hetu had borrowed a Massage and Acupressure Handbook from Xiao Tong and studied it for a few days. Now was the perfect time to put it to use, hoping it would help.

Cheng Youqing soon let out a soft “mm.”

From past experience, Luo Hetu knew this meant she was satisfied, so she continued massaging.

As she worked, her mind wandered. Such a slender back, yet so soft and bouncy in the front.

Cheng Youqing’s neck was exposed to her, the skin beneath the inhibitor patch a round, soft patch that looked so tempting she wanted to lick it—or even bite it.

Lost in her thoughts, filled with who-knows-how-much inappropriate daydreaming, Luo Hetu kept massaging until Cheng Youqing set the documents aside and leaned on the desk. “What’s the matter?”

Snapping back to reality, Luo Hetu briefly explained Zhang Hanyu’s situation.

“You’re investing?” Cheng Youqing frowned. “How much?”

Luo Hetu had no intention of hiding anything. “700,000.”

“All your money?”

“Yes.”

Cheng Youqing was silent for a moment before saying, “You’re not being scammed, are you?”

“No, I’ve looked into his company online, and I’ve analyzed the plan…”

She explained for a while, and Cheng Youqing let out another “mm.” “It’s your money, your decision. I’ll call the lawyer tomorrow, and you can show her the contract.”

“Okay.”

“But think it through carefully. You didn’t earn that money easily.”

“Got it~~”

With her wife’s help secured, Luo Hetu’s mind, overflowing with inappropriate thoughts and pheromones, couldn’t hold back. Her fingers moved upward, brushing the swollen, red gland beneath the inhibitor patch.

Cheng Youqing let out a sound noticeably different from before.

Luo Hetu leaned down, rubbing her cheek against it before using her teeth to slowly peel off the inhibitor patch.

Cheng Youqing’s body flushed pink, her swollen, round gland emitting a rich cotton-candy scent.

Luo Hetu licked and nibbled at her neck, and within seconds, Cheng Youqing’s voice trembled. “Take me back to the bedroom.”

Biting the soft flesh, Luo Hetu whispered huskily, “Let’s try it here.”

Cheng Youqing tried to protest, but Luo Hetu’s canines pierced her skin. She froze for a moment before melting into the desk, soft and pliant, letting Luo Hetu do as she pleased.

How long they went on, Cheng Youqing couldn’t recall. All she remembered was clothes scattered across the floor and Luo Hetu, bold as ever, throwing on a random shirt and carrying her to the bedroom.

Flustered, Cheng Youqing clutched the collar tightly, hissing under her breath, “Are you insane?!”

“The aunties live on the first floor, and there are no cameras here.”

Luo Hetu didn’t care. She wasn’t done, and neither was Cheng Youqing—she was just shy.

Luo Hetu had long noticed Cheng Youqing’s tendency to say one thing while meaning another, especially in bed. She was clearly growing harder to satisfy, yet she always clenched her teeth to hold back. Each time, it was Luo Hetu who, seeing her struggle, pushed her to satisfaction again and again.

“Sister…”

Back in the bedroom, the scene from the study continued. Luo Hetu pressed against Cheng Youqing’s back, one hand covering her mouth.

“If you’re worried about the aunties, you can’t make a sound.”

In a daze, Cheng Youqing felt like she was in her heat cycle. Each wave came fast and fierce, insatiable. After just a few minutes of pause, she wanted more. She felt like she’d become a top-tier omega driven solely by pheromones, a greedy seductress who could never be satisfied.

In a near-mad frenzy, trembling and reluctant to let go, she pinched Luo Hetu’s ear, her voice breaking with a sob. “Are you ever going to stop?”

Luo Hetu, eyes red at the corners, stated the truth: “You’re the one clinging to me.”

Cheng Youqing wanted to curse, but her upbringing stopped her. Instead, she pinched Luo Hetu’s ear harder. “Are you still riding that bike?”

Luo Hetu was baffled. After being marked countless times, how was she still fixating on this?

“Riding that bike for so long, with all the people and chaotic traffic on the streets—what if you get hit? That Zhang Sheng keeps eyeing you, and you ride so fast. If he wanted to hit you, it’d be easy. Do I not provide you with a car? Why won’t you use it?”

Luo Hetu stared at her in surprise. “Zhang Sheng came looking for me? You found out?”

“If I hadn’t had people watching you, who knows how much trouble he’d have caused by now.”

Luo Hetu fell silent, hugging her tightly.

Though her desire hadn’t fully subsided, Luo Hetu held back, gently kissing Cheng Youqing’s cheek. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. You didn’t tell me. He hasn’t done anything to you, has he? I knew he’d find out about our marriage, but I thought he’d shift his focus elsewhere. I didn’t realize it’d cause you so much trouble.”

She wasn’t lying. Zhang Sheng was the male lead of the original story, blessed with all the luck. When Luo Hetu agreed to marry Cheng Youqing, part of her reasoning was to completely avoid Zhang Sheng’s attention.

She had thought that Cheng Youqing’s status and storyline were unrelated to the main characters. The gap between Zhang Sheng and Cheng Youqing was too vast, and his rise to power would take years. This way, she could surely escape the meaningless entanglements with the male and female leads.

But she hadn’t expected Zhang Sheng to still be after her.

It dawned on her: Zhang Sheng’s gland was damaged, and Luo Hetu, the only “useless” alpha, was the perfect target for him to exploit as a sacrificial pawn.

Luo Hetu deeply regretted it.

Had she known marrying Cheng Youqing would shift the male lead’s target to her, she never would have agreed. If Zhang Sheng hurt Cheng Youqing even slightly because of her, she’d take him down with her, erasing his existence from society.