After Being Bound to the Scummy Alpha System, I Became Famous Thanks to My Face Blindness - Chapter 22

Madam Tang hummed a cheerful little tune as she gracefully left the room, leaving only Tang Ling, Tan Shiyi, and the restless little Maltese in Tang Ling’s arms in the sitting room.

Tang Ling lifted the dog’s tiny head and held it up flatteringly in front of Tan Shiyi. “Want to pet her again?”

The Maltese’s round eyes gleamed as it stared at Tan Shiyi, tongue flicking out for a quick lick.

But instead of reaching out, Tan Shiyi lowered her gaze and asked quietly, “Do you have any plans for the future?”

Plans? Tang Ling thought. Sure, I do—breaking you and Pu Xiaoyu up so I can save myself. Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud. After a pause, she said carefully, “Right now, my plan is to do well on the Beidou Star Training Program—take every performance seriously—and hopefully debut with you.”

“You don’t have to humor me,” Tan Shiyi replied softly. “Just a moment ago, you said you hadn’t thought that far.”

Tang Ling felt a twinge of embarrassment. “I really mean it this time. You guys just caught me off guard earlier.”

Tan Shiyi gripped the hem of her dress. “It’s normal that you haven’t figured it all out yet. After all, you have so many paths to choose from. But I’m different. I have to hold onto this chance—if I miss it, I might end up right back where I started.”

Tang Ling wasn’t exactly sure what “where I started” meant, but she could guess—poverty, prejudice, loneliness, all the things Tan Shiyi had once endured. She said gently, “You won’t. You’re so popular now, you’ll definitely debut.”

Tan Shiyi’s voice was light, almost wistful. “If it’s just me, what’s the point?”

Tang Ling coaxed, “Come on, don’t think about stuff like that right now. You finally got a break—just focus on enjoying it. I’ll train hard too, and we’ll debut together, okay?”

“You don’t have to force yourself.”

“How am I forcing myself? Is it so strange that I want to debut? Honestly, even Jiang Manli has the ambition to debut—she even challenged me to meet her at the top! Come on, give me a smile, will you?”

Tan Shiyi finally smiled, her gaze drifting toward the Maltese. “Can I hold her?”

“Of course you can!” Tang Ling said, offering the little dog like a precious treasure. “Our Doudou is super well-behaved.”

Meanwhile, Madam Tang practically skipped into the study, her excitement so palpable that she lost all trace of her usual elegant demeanor.

Chairman Tang looked up from his book, adjusting his glasses. “What’s gotten into you? The girls are here?”

“They are, they are!” Madam Tang beamed. “And I have to say—our Lingling has changed so much!”

“Oh?”

“How should I put it—she’s got a spark now! She’s more thoughtful, more responsible, she actually considers other people’s feelings! You’ll see what I mean when you meet her.”

Chairman Tang remained skeptical. He knew how biased his wife was—she could find something to praise in anything their daughter did. “Really that different?”

“Really, truly! Lingling and Shishi are just perfect together! Shishi’s got that cool, distant temperament, and Lingling knows exactly how to coax and tease her. She’s got real skill—this time, it looks like she’s genuinely fallen for her!”

Chairman Tang couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Knowing how much his wife doted on Tang Ling, how could she sound so delighted that someone else had their daughter so completely wrapped around their finger?

Then he saw Madam Tang pull out her phone, scrolling through an online magazine with a satisfied grin. “Tan Shiyi is really wonderful. I just want to recommend her to all my friends—get them to fangirl this CP with me! Ugh, but they’re all so boring. They don’t understand the joy of shipping.”

Chairman Tang: “…”

Shipping your own daughter’s CP was weird enough already, wasn’t it?

Dinner time.

Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi entered the dining room together—only to be stunned by the spread on the table.

Tan Shiyi had expected that a household as refined as the Tang family’s would serve delicate, elegant dishes. But half the table was filled with boldly spiced dishes—boiled bullfrog, spicy rabbit heads, chili oil intestines—all fiery red and aromatic.

She blinked in surprise. “Your family likes spicy food this much?”

Tang Ling wasn’t actually great with spice, but the original Tang Ling had been an absolute chili fanatic. So, she could only nod and say, “Yeah, mostly me. Do you eat spicy food?”

“Not too much,” Tan Shiyi said. “I usually prefer something lighter.”

A familiar voice came from behind them. “We’ve got light dishes too—broccoli in broth, stir-fried bamboo shoots, scrambled eggs with shrimp. I made sure to prepare those just for you, dear. I hope you’ll get used to our taste.”

Tang Ling turned. “Mom, you’re here.”

“Good evening, Auntie.”

They both turned again—Chairman Tang was there too. He was the picture of a distinguished Alpha: neatly parted hair, sharp features, and though middle-aged, he looked barely in his thirties—disciplined, commanding, and effortlessly authoritative.

Tang Ling instinctively shivered. “Dad, you’re here too.”

Chairman Tang didn’t reply, only gave a curt nod.

His gaze shifted to Tan Shiyi. “You’re the girl who performs with Tang Ling.”

“Yes, sir. My name is Tan Shiyi,” she said politely.

Chairman Tang took his seat at the head of the table. “Don’t just stand there—sit down.”

Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi exchanged a quick glance before obediently pulling out their chairs.

The room fell into an awkward silence. The only sound came from Tang Doudou trotting circles around the table, barking cheerfully.

Madam Tang scooped up the little dog and chided gently, “What are you all doing just standing around? Let’s eat! Shishi, don’t be shy—make yourself at home!”

As she spoke, she shot her husband a series of exaggerated winks.

Chairman Tang cleared his throat. “Don’t stand on ceremony. Eat.”

Tang Ling quickly followed his lead. “Yeah, Shiyi, just take whatever you like.”

Tan Shiyi had never been a dinner guest at a friend’s home before, so she wasn’t sure what a “normal” family dinner felt like. Still, there was something about this meal that felt both formal and oddly off.

Tang Ling reached over and picked up a piece of the soft scrambled egg. “Here, try this—it’s delicious.”

“Thank you,” Tan Shiyi said with a polite nod.

Across the table, Madam Tang kept waggling her eyebrows at her husband—her expression practically shouting, See? Didn’t I tell you? Totally under her spell!

Chairman Tang, meanwhile, was quietly observing Tan Shiyi. The girl ate slowly and neatly, without making a sound—poised and well-mannered.

Tang Ling had indeed changed a great deal. In the past, they could barely exchange a few words before she’d start arguing. But today, she was sitting properly, even serving dishes to the guests.

Ah, the power of love truly couldn’t be underestimated.

Chairman Tang couldn’t help but ask, “How long have you two been together?”

Both Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi froze, not quite understanding what he meant.

Madam Tang quickly tried to smooth things over. “Oh, just look at you—you’ve scared the kids! We didn’t mean anything by it, just asking.”

“Together.” Tang Ling scratched her head. “We’ve been together since the first public performance, right, Shiyi?”

Tan Shiyi hesitated before nodding.

So, about a month then. Chairman Tang nodded in satisfaction. “And how do you two get along?”

That was an easy question for Tang Ling. Compliments, of course. “Shiyi’s great—beautiful, talented, and has excellent leadership skills. Honestly, she handles just about everything in our team. With her around, we all feel secure. And she’s easygoing, never puts on airs—we all really like her.”

Tan Shiyi replied softly, “Tang Ling’s wonderful too. She’s dependable and responsible. Whenever someone’s in trouble, she’s always the first to help. Everyone in the team trusts her.”

Chairman Tang couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this conversation was off, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint why. He continued, “So, you two are officially together now?”

Another strange question. Together? What exactly did “official” mean here? As partners in the same group?

Tang Ling thought for a moment. “I wouldn’t say it’s official, whether we can stay together isn’t really up to me.”

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a loud chime rang in her head:

“Congratulations, Host! You’ve earned 10 Scummy Alpha Points! You’ve unlocked the Majestic Curves appearance reward! Accumulate 13 more Scummy Alpha Points to unlock the Perfect Jawline reward! Keep it up!”

Tang Ling: “?”

Wait—Majestic Curves? How on earth did she earn Scummy Alpha points from that?

She stared blankly at her father, who now looked distinctly displeased. “Not up to you? Then who decides? When you’re in love, you should be single-minded and loyal! If you keep playing around like this, how will any good girl ever want to stay with you?”

Tang Ling: “?”

Wait, who’s in love with who here?

After a long round of chaotic, mismatched explanations, the misunderstanding was finally cleared up—Father and Mother Tang finally realized that Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi weren’t dating.

Madam Tang sighed, gently stroking Tang Doudou the Maltese’s fluffy head. “What a pity. I thought I’d be holding a grandchild soon.”

Tang Ling was utterly speechless. Not only were they not in a relationship, but even if they were, wasn’t that jumping the gun a bit?

Chairman Tang looked rather embarrassed too, realizing it had been his mistake all along.

Still, that very misunderstanding broke the ice—conversation flowed freely afterward, and the atmosphere grew much more relaxed.

Tang Ling once again expressed her desire to continue working with Beidou Star Training Program, earning her father’s approval.

Chairman Tang even chatted with Tan Shiyi for quite a while. He found that, although she appeared quiet and mild, she was in fact remarkably strong-willed and capable—just as Tang Ling had said, a natural leader.

Impressed, he said warmly, “If you ever decide to leave the entertainment industry, you’re welcome to come work at Tang Corporation anytime.”

Tan Shiyi nodded earnestly. “Thank you, Uncle.”

After several rounds of wine and many dishes later, night had fallen, and the city lights glittered outside.

Madam Tang smiled. “It’s getting late, and you’ve both been drinking. It’s inconvenient to go back now—why don’t you stay the night? I’ll have Ah Tong drive you back in the morning.”

The two glanced at each other.

Tang Ling said, “I don’t mind. What about you?”

Tan Shiyi was already a little tipsy, even though she’d only had two glasses of wine. Her eyes were slightly glazed. “I don’t mind either.”

Madam Tang’s eyes lit up instantly. “Then I’ll go get your rooms ready!”

Tang Ling knew exactly what her mother was thinking by now. After spending the whole evening together, she’d figured out her mother’s personality through and through—pure-hearted, hopelessly romantic, and currently deep in her “shipping phase,” eager to create every possible opportunity for her and Tan Shiyi.

She reminded tactfully, “Mom, we can’t share a room.”

Madam Tang chuckled. “Of course not! But sleeping in adjacent rooms is fine, right? I’ll tidy up the guest room next to yours for Shiyi!”

Tan Shiyi smiled politely. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Tang Ling’s heart skipped a beat. Judging by Tan Shiyi’s hazy expression, she was definitely drunk enough to cause trouble. Hopefully, tonight would pass peacefully without any incidents.