After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 23

The afternoon interviews moved quickly. Tang Cheng barely ate a few bites before pulling out her phone to message Lu Xinxue.

Tang Cheng: Axin, when do you get off work? Let’s go home together.

The number of candidates wasn’t large. She finished her interview early and decided to wait for Lu Xinxue.

But the moment she stepped into the room, her eyes met Lu Xinxue’s at the center seat. The atmosphere turned faintly awkward.

Beside Lu Xinxue sat Yu Xia’an, and next to her an older mechanic. On Lu Xinxue’s other side were two managers—clearly not mechanics.

Everyone present was sharp enough to know who Tang Cheng was. Yet since Lu Xinxue said nothing, they proceeded with the interview as usual.

The questions were routine, and Tang Cheng answered smoothly.

“I see your résumé doesn’t list graduation from A University. Would you care to explain?”

The speaker was Lin Xin, HR director, seated beside Lu Xinxue.

“For personal reasons, I’d rather not disclose.”

Tang Cheng declined politely. Whether it was the disastrous presentation or the manipulation afterward, none of it was honorable.

Lin Xin hadn’t expected such a direct refusal. She glanced at Lu Xinxue, but found her expression unchanged. She withdrew her gaze and asked another question.

“Your résumé mentions extensive experience. Could you share your thought process from today’s second-round repair?”

Tang Cheng remained composed. “It was a QB35 pipeline detector, released two years ago. It’s one of the best machines for narrow, winding pipes. After prolonged exposure to water, the first step is checking for rust on the parts, then durability. The chip inside was the 98 model released that same year, with excellent waterproofing and buffering. Its warranty is still valid for five years. So, the main concern is whether the circuit connections remain intact.”

Yu Xia’an interjected: “And what makes you so sure the chip is flawless? Don’t you think that’s arrogant?”

Tang Cheng replied calmly: “If the heart of a machine fails, is there any point in repairing it?”

Silence fell. Yu Xia’an quietly marked her score, unable to hide her surprise.

Tang Cheng’s confidence in mechanics was unique. From the United Tower incident, it had been clear. She had said then: “As a mechanic, you don’t need others to shoulder your inaction.”

And now, the same conviction shone through.

Meanwhile, the A4 sheet before Lu Xinxue remained blank. She picked up her phone, still not scoring.

Lin Xin asked, “Why choose Lu Corporation?”

Tang Cheng answered simply: “Because of President Lu.”

Four words drew every gaze—fearful, startled, curious, expectant.

Tang Cheng continued: “President Lu has pushed Lu Corporation to the forefront of the industry. No mechanic fails to yearn for perfection, to create something worthy of pride. Only Lu Corporation can give me that chance.”

Everyone but Lu Xinxue exhaled, relieved.

Lin Xin pressed on: “So your first choice here is the research division?”

Tang Cheng: “Yes.”

She lowered her head to record the answer. The interview ended.

Leaving the room, Tang Cheng saw the long line outside. Thankfully she had gone early—otherwise, Lu Xinxue would have been kept waiting.

She sat down, thinking.

Mechanics were divided into two branches: manufacturing and assembly.

Her ideal position was, of course, manufacturing. Lu Corporation had multiple subdivisions, but the chip research division was the most elite. Mechanics capable of excelling there were rare across all of A City.

As far as she knew, Lu Corporation had only one such team. Its leader was none other than Yu Xia’an.

Lu Xinxue: Go home first.

She hadn’t said not to return together. Which meant they could still share dinner.

Tang Cheng: Alright. I’ll wait for you at home.

Her message popped up on Lu Xinxue’s screen. Her expression softened slightly. The mechanic sitting opposite her had no idea who was interviewing him, and his words began to stumble.

Distracted, Lu Xinxue listened. His explanations faltered, his decisions unclear. Pass.

She grew intrigued. After interviewing nearly all the mechanics, she had her shortlist. Out of more than a hundred who passed résumé screening, only seven remained.

Those seven would be discussed further. The rest she left to Lin Xin. Today, she was in good spirits.

When Lu Xinxue finally left the hall, everyone breathed easier.

Lin Xin leaned toward Yu Xia’an. “You saved that spot wisely.”

Yu Xia’an smiled. “Tang Cheng will join our group?”

Lin Xin shot her a look. “Don’t play dumb. Where else could we place her?”

Satisfied, Yu Xia’an said, “I asked President Lu yesterday. She was always meant to come.”

Lin Xin shook her head at the stack of résumés. Another night of overtime.

By the time Lu Xinxue reached home, the sky was fully dark. Warm light spilled from the house.

Tang Cheng was there. That alone brought comfort.

Inside, the table was already set. Tang Cheng sat by the sofa, tinkering with her mechanical arm.

She had repeated yesterday’s trick, wearing the same sleeveless vest. Her arms were long and toned, her waistline defined, faint abs visible beneath the fabric.

“You’re back. Wash up, let’s eat.”

Tang Cheng greeted her warmly, setting her tools aside and stepping forward to take her bag.

Her bare arm brushed against Lu Xinxue’s, sending a shiver.

Lu Xinxue frowned. “Don’t stand so close.”

Tang Cheng grinned. “Good thing I sweet-talked the old lady at the market. I bought her best bundle of bamboo shoots.”

In the kitchen, Lu Xinxue washed her hands. She noticed Tang Cheng had bought many things for the house. Then her eyes caught something unusual.

On the windowsill, besides the cheap green plant, there were now two pots of Portulacaria afra—jade plants.

Small, delicate, blooming clusters.

Most curious of all, the two fist-sized pots leaned against each other, nestled together.

Tang Cheng smiled. “You saw them. I passed the flower market, they felt familiar, so I bought them.”

Tang Cheng noticed Lu Xinxue hadn’t come out for a long while. She stepped inside, following Lu Xinxue’s gaze, and saw the piece she had bought earlier—the one she was most satisfied with.

“If you have too much money, just give it to me.”

Lu Xinxue was never good at keeping plants alive. Busy as she was, she often forgot to water them. Even food kept in water wilted faster under her care.

Over time, though she liked flowers, she avoided them, afraid of watching them die in her hands.

Because she feared losing them, she never reached out first.

These days, the only ones who still gave her flowers were Grandmother and Tang Cheng.

Tang Cheng didn’t answer. Lu Xinxue glanced sideways and found her fiddling with her phone. A moment later, it rang.

“All yours, Axin. Any other orders?”

So close, Lu Xinxue could see her own reflection in Tang Cheng’s brown eyes. Tang Cheng deliberately softened the end of her voice, teasing, almost seductive.

She had given Lu Xinxue everything she had, every bit of her savings. Lu Xinxue shook her head. She had known Tang Cheng would do this, yet still sparred with her in words.

“Eat,” Lu Xinxue said.

Tonight was much like the last. Looking down, she noticed the cups she had placed before were now replaced by two new ones.

She gestured toward them. “You bought these too?”

Tang Cheng nodded. “They looked nice. One for you, one for me.”

Who said anything about one for you, one for me?

Lu Xinxue turned away, refusing to indulge this childishness.

“Axin, eat more.”

Tang Cheng reached across to place food in her bowl. Lu Xinxue had already learned this trick and turned her head just in time to avoid it.

“Why do I feel like you dislike me so much?”

“If you’re only realizing that now, it’s pathetic.”

Her words were sharp, merciless.

Tang Cheng only smiled, finally dropping her mischief.

“I won’t be home for dinner tomorrow,” Lu Xinxue said. “Prepare your own.”

“What’s the plan tomorrow? I can pick you up.”

“No need. Uncle Sun will.”

She didn’t tell Tang Cheng more, afraid she’d meddle again.

Tomorrow she was meeting Director Huang of the United Tower to negotiate a termination. He was a seasoned businessman, slippery as oil. Getting out clean would be difficult.

“Alright. If you need me, call. I’ll be there right away!” Tang Cheng promised.

Lu Xinxue didn’t respond. Whether she remembered or not, Tang Cheng couldn’t tell.

After dinner, Lu Xinxue did something rare, she pulled a book from the corner shelf and sat on the sofa, holding it, though her thoughts kept drifting back to Tang Cheng.

In the kitchen, Tang Cheng was cleaning up. She glanced down, the new couple’s mugs looked pleasing enough.

Her emotions only surfaced when Tang Cheng wasn’t around.

She began to notice the house again—familiar, yet strange.

On the table sat two small dog figurines, likely carved by Tang Cheng herself, ugly in a way that was almost endearing.

Her once-empty home had been revived. With Tang Cheng back, everything seemed renewed. She couldn’t help but admire how well Tang Cheng understood her taste.

Two new bottles of wine in the cabinet. Playful magnets on the fridge. Two jade plants on the balcony, leaning against each other like companions.

“Furniture should be chosen slowly. No rush.”

Tang Cheng appeared without her apron, passing by. She had seen everything, what should be seen and what shouldn’t.

“Axin, why be shy? Haven’t we seen it all before?”

She smiled, sitting down beside Lu Xinxue, close enough to leave no space between them.

“What are you looking at, Axin?”

She leaned forward, craning her neck to peer into Lu Xinxue’s line of sight. Her bare arm brushed against her skin, leaving a faint itch.

“Move.”

“No.”

Tang Cheng turned stubbornly. In the air lingered the faint scent of thyme—not strong, but enough to stir something restless inside her.

Lu Xinxue’s eyes softened, from cold to resigned.

Tang Cheng braced herself against the sofa, her arm flexing. Her gaze fell first on Lu Xinxue’s lips, then lower catching the glimpse of teeth and the pink tip of her tongue then back up to her eyes, slowly relaxing.

“Axin,” she whispered, voice low, leaning close.

Her hand slid forward, wrapping around Lu Xinxue’s waist. Another pressed against the back of her neck, holding her still.

Her lips descended quickly.

Lu Xinxue’s lips were cool, carrying the faint taste of thyme—light, delicate, fleeting.