After Being Bound to the Scummy Alpha System, I Became Famous Thanks to My Face Blindness - Chapter 24

Tang Ling was startled. “Stay here? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Tan Shiyi’s eyes reflected a hint of sadness and confusion. “Why would it be inappropriate?”

Tang Ling felt like she was trying to reason with a child who had lost all sense of logic. Patiently, she explained, “Think about it. I’m an Alpha, you’re an Omega. It’s obviously not appropriate for us to sleep in the same room.”

Tan Shiyi blinked innocently. “But, it’s not like we haven’t shared a room before.”

Her tone was so clear, her expression so natural, that it sounded like she was talking about something completely ordinary.

Tang Ling’s face flushed bright red. She grabbed Tan Shiyi’s wrist and started pulling her toward the door. “Come on, come on—let’s go check what’s wrong with your air conditioner.”

“I’m not going.” Tan Shiyi’s temper flared; she pouted, took a small step forward until she was almost—but not quite—touching Tang Ling, and tugged lightly at the hem of her shirt. “I want to stay here. Hmph.”

Tang Ling: “?”

What’s with the ‘hmph’? Tan Shiyi, do you even realize your image is completely collapsing right now?

Tang Ling tried to scare her a little. “If we were anywhere else, maybe it’d be fine—but this is my house. Think about it. If my mom and dad see us sharing a room tomorrow morning, what are they going to think, hmm?”

“But, they already think we’re dating, don’t they?” Tan Shiyi said with an innocent expression.

Tang Ling: “……”

Hard to argue with that.

Tang Ling changed tactics. “How about this—you stay in your room, and I’ll keep you company, okay?”

Tan Shiyi shook her head. “No. You’ll sneak out after I fall asleep, just like last time.”

Tang Ling: “……”

Wait—are you sure you’re drunk? Because your logic seems way too coherent.

Then, as if summoning all her courage, Tan Shiyi gently took hold of Tang Ling’s hand and gave it a little shake. “A’ling, stay with me, please? I don’t want to be alone.”

Her clear, pleading eyes were full of softness—like a helpless little rabbit begging to be comforted.

What else could Tang Ling do? She sighed. “Alright, fine. Go lie down first.”

But Tan Shiyi, afraid Tang Ling might escape, held on tightly to her hand. “Together.”

So, Tang Ling followed her to the bed, watching as Tan Shiyi climbed onto the inside and lay down, then turned to face her.

Thankfully, Tang Ling’s bed was big enough. Two girls lying side by side didn’t feel crowded at all.

Their gazes met.

In the faint mingling of breath, Tang Ling caught a familiar trace of osmanthus and warm milk—Tan Shiyi’s scent, drifting softly toward her.

She’d heard that some Omegas, when drunk, could experience mild heat symptoms. Clearly, it wasn’t just a rumor.

Tan Shiyi didn’t seem to notice the changes in her body. She looked perfectly content, a shy smile curving her lips as she reached out a finger to poke at the dimple on Tang Ling’s cheek.

A strange flutter stirred in Tang Ling’s chest. She caught Tan Shiyi’s hand, pressed it gently down, and covered her eyes. “No more looking. Go to sleep.”

“No bedtime story tonight?”

“If you close your eyes, I’ll tell you one in your dreams.”

Tan Shiyi obediently shut her eyes. She was already deeply drunk, and after that small outburst, she quickly drifted off again.

Tang Ling quietly got up. She’d meant to go sleep in the next room, but worried Tan Shiyi might wake and make a fuss, she instead pushed two sofas together to make a temporary bed.

Thanks to her impressive strength, she lifted and shifted the furniture like it weighed nothing, barely making a sound.

Fortunately, the Tang family’s sofas were soft and comfortable. Tang Ling soon fell asleep as well.

The next morning. the chirping of birds outside stirred Tang Ling awake. She stretched lazily.

Her arm brushed against the sofa cushion, and she blinked, suddenly remembering her situation. Sitting up abruptly, she glanced toward Tan Shiyi’s bed on instinct.

Tan Shiyi was already awake, still wearing last night’s crumpled dress, staring blankly out the window.

Tang Ling’s heart skipped a beat. This scene felt eerily familiar. Heaven as her witness—she’d done nothing this time!

Hearing the sound behind her, Tan Shiyi turned her head slightly, cheeks tinged pink. “Good morning.”

“Good morning!” Tang Ling straightened her posture instantly. “Uh—just so you know, I swear I didn’t do anything.”

Tan Shiyi seemed fully sober now. She lowered her gaze. “Last night, what happened?”

“You don’t remember?”

Frowning, Tan Shiyi rubbed her temples. “I just remember drinking a little, and agreeing to stay the night when Auntie asked.”

“Well, it’s probably for the best you don’t remember. Things got kind of complicated last night, and I’m afraid if I told you, you’d—uh—misunderstand.”

She trailed off when she noticed Tan Shiyi’s odd expression and hurried to clarify, “Wait! I didn’t mean that! You were just drunk, that’s all. Nothing happened between us!”

Tan Shiyi’s voice softened. “Did I cause trouble with my bad drinking habits?”

“Not trouble exactly.” Tang Ling scratched her head. “But I’d suggest you don’t drink casually in public again. I caught a whiff of your pheromones last night—luckily you only had two glasses.”

“I didn’t know. It was my first time drinking.” Tan Shiyi froze for a moment, then lowered her head, embarrassed. “Sorry, but do you have anything I could wear? I can’t let anyone see me like this.”

“Yeah, wait here.”

Tang Ling opened her wardrobe. The original owner’s clothes were completely different from Tan Shiyi’s style—either skimpy mini skirts or bizarre designer tops. After rummaging for a while, she finally found a clean, simple short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of fitted cropped pants, and handed them over.

“I’ll step out—you can change inside.”

She opened the door and quietly closed it behind her. Just as she exhaled in relief and turned around, she froze.

Not far away stood her mother, looking thrilled, and her father, looking a bit embarrassed.

Tan Shiyi’s bedroom door was wide open. And it was empty.

Tang Ling: “……”

What you fear most always finds you in the end!

She quickly waved her hands, lowering her voice. “Dad, Mom, it’s not what you think!”

Madam Tang also whispered, “Shh—Dad and Mom understand. We’ll keep your secret!”

Tang Ling: “……”

Was this even about keeping it a secret? Couldn’t they take a firmer stance for once?

After breakfast, Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi bid farewell to Chairman and Madam. Tang and started their journey back.

Tan Shiyi was still wearing Tang Ling’s clothes, which clearly didn’t fit—her smaller frame was almost swallowed up by them. Yet Chairman and Madam Tang pretended not to notice, chatting casually over breakfast and even packing the two girls off with bags of local specialties and snacks.

Once in the car, both sat stiffly in silence, each occupying a corner like two well-behaved statues.

It was Ah Tong who finally spoke up. “Are you two hot? Should I turn on the air conditioning?”

At the word “air conditioning,” Tang Ling flinched reflexively. “Not hot.”

Tan Shiyi gave her a puzzled look before echoing softly, “I’m not hot either.”

Ah Tong glanced back at them. “No wonder. You’re both dressed pretty loosely.”

Tang Ling: “……”

Tan Shiyi: “……”

Seeing neither respond, Ah Tong looked back again. “Still, I think I’ll turn it on. You both look a little flushed.”

Their eyes met briefly—then both faces grew even redder.

The rest of the ride passed in awkward quiet. Tan Shiyi kept her gaze on the passing scenery, while Tang Ling closed her eyes, pretending to nap.

Ah Tong couldn’t help but wonder whether the trip home had gone well or not, whether the two were closer now or more distant than before. With Tan Shiyi sitting right there, she didn’t dare ask—one wrong word and it’d just make things awkward for all three of them.

After dropping them off, she gave a few brief reminders before driving away.

The two walked together through the gates of the training camp.

At this hour, most of the girls were still practicing in the dance studio. The two slipped quietly back to their dorm, guilty as if they’d just committed a crime.

After changing into their practice clothes, they stepped out—only to bump into each other again at the door.

They’d only been apart for a few minutes, yet now neither knew how to act, walking side by side in uneasy silence.

Tan Shiyi was the first to speak. “Your clothes—I’ll wash them before returning them to you.”

Tang Ling, unsure what to say, just murmured, “Okay.”

When they pushed open the door to the dance studio, the one who reacted first was Fang Zhizi.

She practically ran up to Tang Ling. “Tang Ling-jie, you’re finally back! Where did you and Shiyi-jie go?”

Tang Ling smiled. “I just went home for a bit. I brought back some snacks for you.”

Fang Zhizi’s eyes lit up. “Really? Then I’ll come to your room tonight!”

Tan Shiyi gave them both a quiet glance, sighed inwardly, and walked quickly toward the center of the studio. After greeting a few people, she turned toward the mirror and began warming up.

Off to the side, Pu Xiaoyu had been watching her the whole time. Without a word, she approached, leaning casually against the barre with a look of lazy amusement.

Tan Shiyi paused mid-stretch. “Teacher Pu, did you need something?”

Pu Xiaoyu smiled. “I heard you took leave yesterday to go to Tang Ling’s place?”

Tan Shiyi nodded politely. “Yes. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Trouble? Not at all,” Pu Xiaoyu said lightly. “I was just surprised. I always thought you two only had a professional relationship—I didn’t realize you were so close in private.”

Tan Shiyi glanced toward Tang Ling, who was still chatting with Fang Zhizi, and replied evenly, “We’re just ordinary friends.”

“Ordinary friends?” Pu Xiaoyu’s tone turned teasing. “Would an Alpha like her invite a ‘just friend’ to her home?”

Tan Shiyi froze, frowning. “Teacher Pu, what do you mean by that?”

“Oh, nothing much. I’m simply curious,” Pu Xiaoyu said, leaning in slightly with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Someone as self-disciplined as you—why get close to someone like her? You’re in a rising stage of your career, after all. I’d hate to see you get hurt and risk your future.”

Tan Shiyi’s face was expressionless. “Teacher Pu, please watch your words. You’ve known Tang Ling for a long time—you should have a deeper understanding of her character than mere gossip allows. And as for my career, that’s my own concern.”

Her eyes were clear and steady, meeting Pu Xiaoyu’s gaze without the slightest hint of fear.

Pu Xiaoyu held her stare for a moment before finally laughing. “Just teasing. You really do defend her, don’t you?”

Tan Shiyi gave a polite nod and turned away, heading toward the group of trainees.

Pu Xiaoyu didn’t stop her—she just took a slow sip of her coffee, a faint smile lingering as she watched Tan Shiyi’s retreating figure.