Guide To Lying Flat And Getting Rich As A Kept Alpha - Chapter 9

9

Being able to read this author Xiao Luo’s books firsthand was quite a privilege in every sense.

Jiang City wasn’t exactly small, but not many people in the city had read her books due to their limited availability. Even those eager to read them found it hard to collect a full set. You either had to pay a premium or borrow someone else’s to make copies, with scalpers pocketing most of the profit.

So, when someone offered a complete set of her new books outright, it was a matter of great pride. And how thrilling it must be to have a full set of such addictive books that you couldn’t put down once you started.

Li Baitian didn’t believe it at first, not until Sun Yinuo said she’d personally seen the bookstall at the South City Market. Only then did she cautiously remark, “You’re just selling the books. Who’s to say you’re the one writing them?”

“Does it matter if I wrote them? As long as I guarantee you get the books to read, isn’t that enough? If you want, I’ll bring a set of The Prime Minister of the Dynasty for you tomorrow.”

Sun Yinuo tugged at her sleeve. “Boss Xiao Luo, I’m still missing the last four books. How come you’re giving books to someone else already?”

Luo Hetu replied, “Thanks for introducing me to the shop. I’ll bring them tomorrow and complete your set.”

Some time later, Cheng Youqing finally had a free moment. She had someone drive her to the South City Market. The car slowly pulled up amidst the crowded throng, and she got out to look for Luo Hetu.

She didn’t find her. The spot where Luo Hetu usually set up her stall was now occupied by someone selling small accessories.

Cheng Youqing had recently changed assistants, and this time it was a female beta. The assistant asked around, and a thug smoking a cigarette said, “Boss Xiao Luo’s now selling at the entrance of No. 1 High School. You can go check it out.” He added, “The milk tea there’s pretty good. You should try it if you go.”

Cheng Youqing had been in meetings all day, her feet swollen from wearing high heels. The last time she came, that little boss had all sorts of rules, so she got out of the car to pick up the books herself, only to find the stall had moved.

Her already tired mood soured further.

As an Omega raised with care and privilege, she had never endured such discomfort for someone so insignificant to her.

She leaned back in the car, closing her eyes to rest.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the entrance of No. 1 High School. The female assistant let out a surprised, “Ms. Cheng, it’s quite lively here.”

Lively where?

Cheng Youqing lazily opened her eyes and saw a shopfront adorned with flowerpots. A rustic wooden sign with the words “Shanhe Tuling” written in calligraphy hung prominently, accompanied by a small drawing of a beverage cup. A line had formed at the entrance.

School wasn’t out yet, so there were no students, yet a queue had already formed?

What were they selling?

Cheng Youqing didn’t want to get out, so the assistant went to check. She returned shortly after. “They’re selling a drink called ‘milk tea,’” the assistant said. “They’re also selling Xiao Luo’s books inside. I told the boss why we were here, but she said she doesn’t know me and that you’d have to go in yourself.”

Cheng Youqing’s brows furrowed.

Still that same rigid, rule-obsessed attitude.

She could have switched to soft flats, but she refused to let herself be seen in a formal suit paired with mismatched shoes. After weighing her options, Cheng Youqing, suppressing her discomfort, got out of the car, already planning to order an extra book from Sun Jin’s place to vent her frustration.

Inside “Shanhe Tuling,” the sign was white-painted wood, and the interior was spacious and bright. A long counter was manned by three people busily preparing drinks, while one handled orders at the front. Each staff member wore a black T-shirt with “Shanhe Tuling” printed on the back and a dark apron. The shop had only a few light wooden tables and chairs, all occupied by young people. The queue stretched from inside to outside, with about a dozen people waiting.

The assistant gestured. “This way.”

Navigating through the crowd, they reached a small counter separated by a wooden bookshelf near the entrance. The shelf held three rows of books, and behind the counter sat a person.

She wore a loose linen T-shirt, a book draped over her lap, staring blankly at the wall.

She looked utterly idle, completely out of place in the bustling, hectic atmosphere of the shop.

Cheng Youqing, seeing her like this, felt a spark of irritation flare up for no clear reason. As she approached, her legs suddenly gave way. Her high heels, worn all day, couldn’t hold her up, and she began to topple to one side.

For an Omega who couldn’t bear to pair flats with a suit, her mind went blank. All she could think was that if she fell in this crowd, she’d buy this shop and seal it shut forever.

The assistant gasped and rushed forward, but a hand reached out first, steadily catching Cheng Youqing’s body.

The lazy alpha stood up. Her hand and arm were strong, not trembling in the slightest.

Cheng Youqing looked up and saw the alpha standing there. Once she was steady, the alpha withdrew her hand and said, “Too crowded, huh? Come sit here for a bit. It’s pretty cool by my spot.”

Her seat was under a small, half-open window, letting in the blue sky and the deep green leaves of a large sycamore tree. Sprawled out on that recliner, it was naturally cool and comfortable.

Cheng Youqing snapped out of her daze, regaining her composure. As her mind cleared, she noticed something she’d overlooked before.

She frowned slightly, leaning forward almost imperceptibly to sniff.

The closer she got to the alpha, the weaker her legs felt, her whole body softening. It wasn’t the high heels.

Her nose caught a faint scent of grass and trees after rain, so subtle it was barely noticeable. The scent wasn’t overpowering, and if she weren’t so familiar with it, she wouldn’t have recognized it.

But once she did, her gaze on Luo Hetu grew complex, leaving Luo Hetu puzzled.

Luo Hetu recognized Cheng Youqing, of course. Seeing her silent, she spoke up, “You’re here for the books, right?”

She handed over a refined cloth bag printed with “Shanhe Tuling,” containing the four promised books. Luo Hetu also passed over 25 yuan. “I usually only give these bags to people who buy ten books. You overpaid last time, so here’s your change. Also, try a cup of our milk tea. Chen Fang!”

Chen Fang was an old coworker of Luo Hetu’s. After opening the shop, Luo Hetu called her, offering a job with a monthly salary of 1,000 yuan, two days off a week, and the flexibility to take other jobs on rest days. It was lighter work than the construction site, and if she needed extra money, she could still work there on her days off.

Chen Fang did the math and found it reasonable. With a chronic back injury, she decided to take the job for her health.

“Make a sugar-free mango pomelo sago for this lady.”

“Got it!”

Chen Fang worked briskly, and Luo Hetu said to Cheng Youqing, “Please wait a bit. We’ve got a lot of orders ahead.”

Her rule-following persona was consistent. Whatever Cheng Youqing’s mood, the waiting customers were surely pleased.

In the early days of building a brand, establishing trust was key, and all actions served to make money—that was Boss Xiao Luo’s principle.

Cheng Youqing said nothing, just stared at Luo Hetu. Luo Hetu scratched her cheek and stepped aside. “Sit here quick, or you might fall again if you keep standing.”

The assistant thought to herself that this boss sure didn’t know how to talk, assuming Cheng Youqing wouldn’t want to sit in a chair an alpha had just lounged in. To her surprise, Cheng Youqing stepped forward and sat down in Luo Hetu’s spot.

Once seated, the scent of rain-soaked grass and trees grew clearer, like mist in the mountains gently enveloping her.

She swallowed instinctively, glancing at Luo Hetu, who stood idly nearby.

Tall, slender, with sleeves rolled up to reveal toned forearms, her fair skin showed defined muscle lines. Her long fingers, slightly calloused, had brushed lightly against the book when she handed it over.

In the dim light of a past encounter, Cheng Youqing had noticed a small mole on Luo Hetu’s earlobe under the moonlight.

Now, in daylight, she saw it was red.

Suddenly, Cheng Youqing felt a tightening in her lower abdomen. Her heat cycle, supposedly controlled with medication, seemed to stir restlessly again.

So, her irregular heat cycles before were because of her.

Cheng Youqing remained silent, her expression cold enough to make anyone who caught her glance question if they’d done something wrong. Her icy demeanor even overshadowed her beauty, making people hesitant to call her beautiful. She seemed like an ethereal being, untouchable by mortals, who might, with a single glance, unleash a torrent of disdain. So, Luo Hetu had no inclination to chat with her.

But with her seat taken, she had nothing to do and stood out awkwardly in the busy milk tea shop.

Cheng Youqing’s cold gaze kept fixed on her, adding to her discomfort, making her wonder if she should just step outside.

Thankfully, Sun Yinuo’s loud, cheerful voice broke the tension. “Boss Xiao Luo! Business is booming as usual! Did you make the milk tea I pre-ordered?”

Luo Hetu let out a relieved breath. “It’s done, over there. Just grab it.”

Sun Yinuo bounced over, picked up a bag with “Shanhe Tuling” printed on it, and grinned at Luo Hetu. “Thanks, Boss Xiao Luo!”

“No problem. Pre-orders get priority. We make them in order.”

The queue erupted in chatter. “How do you pre-order? Does this place have a phone?”

A clear-looking, long-haired alpha who’d just walked in explained to the customers, “We’ll install a phone soon. For now, just pre-order and let us know when you’ll pick up. You can go do other things and come back at the set time. All orders are listed on that blackboard, transparent and fair!”

Luo Hetu’s face lit up when she saw Ye Qingzhu. “You’re here, so I’m out. Bye!”

Ye Qingzhu laughed. “You’re so lazy, you won’t stay a second longer than you have to.”

“I’m here to sell books. Morning’s books are sold out, so I’m off to sleep.”

Luo Hetu yawned, her wrist turning to reveal a beaded bracelet that rolled casually. Unlike the slight tension she felt under Cheng Youqing’s gaze, she was relaxed and at ease with Ye Qingzhu, clearly comfortable in her presence.

Cheng Youqing silently observed it all.

As Sun Yinuo grabbed her milk tea and turned to leave, a familiar voice called out, “Sun Yinuo.”

Sun Yinuo froze, thinking she was hallucinating. Why would her formidable cousin be here?

Just then, Chen Fang shouted, “Boss Luo, the mango pomelo sago for the lady in your seat is ready.”

Cheng Youqing stood, giving Sun Yinuo a glance. The assistant went to the counter to pick up the drink bag.

Sun Yinuo, shrinking like a quail, clutched her milk tea and waved timidly at Luo Hetu and Ye Qingzhu. “See you later, I gotta go.”

Cheng Youqing didn’t say a word to Luo Hetu. She walked out with a straight back, moving swiftly through the crowd, her mood visibly poor. Sun Yinuo scurried after her, both diligent and pained.

Though her expression was always cool, Luo Hetu sensed she seemed even less pleased than before.

After they left, Ye Qingzhu realized, “That’s the pretty Omega who bought books from you at the market, right?”

“She came to pick up her order today.”

Ye Qingzhu clicked her tongue. “She’s really good-looking, but she seems to have a big temper. Doesn’t look easy to get along with.”

“Not like I’ll ever have a chance to get along with her,” Luo Hetu said, twirling her bracelet. “I’m off to eat hotpot.”

Ye Qingzhu: …

Though the money was dazzling, Ye Qingzhu finally understood what kind of deal Luo Hetu had roped her into—she was genuinely lazy, doing nothing beyond coming up with ideas.