After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 32

Tang Cheng had no choice but to work overtime at the office today. Yu Xia’an, as team leader, also stayed behind, tinkering with something in another lab. Tang Cheng wasn’t in the mood to check; instead, she focused on dismantling the mechanical dog they had assembled earlier, examining two parts to see if other chips could be substituted.

She hadn’t been entirely without progress lately. She had first tried to replicate the material from years ago that could detect biological signals, only to discover it was no longer available anywhere on the market. With no choice, Tang

Cheng had to scrap everything and start over.

After dismantling the mechanical dog, she found almost nothing useful. Perhaps Yu Xia’an had what she needed. Tang Cheng considered opening the door to ask, but just then, Yu Xia’an turned off the lights and left, concealing everything inside the lab.

Yu Xia’an smiled faintly. “Heading home?”

Tang Cheng realized one thing: Yu Xia’an was guarding against her.

For several nights in a row, Lu Xinxue had social engagements, sometimes not even returning home.

She never mentioned moving, so Tang Cheng intermittently forgot about it. They lived like polite strangers under the same roof.

At the company, Tang Cheng tried to figure out what Yu Xia’an was hiding in that lab. It wasn’t a glass room but covered with frosted film, curtains drawn every day. Yu Xia’an never let her in, and Tang Cheng couldn’t find an opportunity.

She worked late every evening, and today was no different. Driving home, she was caught in rush-hour traffic, the car barely moving.

Forced to stop, she got out to find food.

Nearby, she spotted a small restaurant—and not far away, a group of rough-looking young men with arms slung around each other. In their midst was a girl, cornered. Looking closer, Tang Cheng recognized her.

Fang Jing.

But today Fang Jing wasn’t in uniform, nor in the casual clothes she’d worn in Xingcheng. Instead, she wore a plain long dress, looking entirely different.

Was this part of an assignment?

Tang Cheng hadn’t planned to intervene, but then she saw the men start harassing her. Fang Jing’s arm was pinned, unable to move.

Tang Cheng watched for a moment, then stepped forward. The men were strong and numerous; even if Fang Jing was on duty, escaping would be difficult. Whether it was real or staged, Tang Cheng couldn’t ignore it.

She pushed into the crowd, helping Fang Jing up from the ground. The men hadn’t expected someone to appear out of nowhere. “Need help?” Tang Cheng asked quietly. Fang Jing lifted her eyes, pressed her lips together, and nodded.

One of the men grabbed Tang Cheng’s shoulder.

Tang Cheng twisted, gripping his arm. Her strength training hadn’t been neglected, and as a mechanic, her grip was stronger than most. “I’ve already called the police. Watch your attitude.”

The cold-faced Alpha’s grip made his arm ache. The fabric of her clothes alone suggested she wasn’t someone they could afford to provoke. The men backed off reluctantly.

But some glared viciously at Fang Jing, clearly unwilling to let her go.

Tang Cheng turned to her. “Are you alright?”

Fang Jing stood, straightening her dress. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”

Her stomach growled audibly. Fang Jing noticed and laughed. “Come on, hero. Dinner’s on me.”

Tang Cheng followed her into a nearby restaurant.

Neither noticed the sleek black van parked behind them, inside of which a pair of beautiful eyes watched Tang Cheng intently.

Seated, Fang Jing accepted the menu from the waiter. “Last time I saved you, this time you saved me. We’re even now.”

Tang Cheng frowned. Saved her? “Last time?”

“Of course. In Xingcheng. A blond kid told me someone behind you had bad intentions. I followed those two upstairs, but they slipped away. Then I turned a corner and found you. Luckily, you were safe.”

Tang Cheng froze. Xingcheng? Bo Long? He had saved her once?

Who were those men following her? Were they connected to Yuan Tai?

Fang Jing ticked off two dishes and handed the menu to Tang Cheng. “Your turn.”

Tang Cheng accepted it absentmindedly, her mind replaying Fang Jing’s words. “What about the blond kid?”

“No idea. By the time I came back out, he was gone.” Fang Jing shook her head.

Tang Cheng felt a pang of regret. Perhaps he had truly vanished in search of survival.

She ordered a dish and passed the menu back to the waiter, then shifted the topic. “And you? Why were you—”

How could a young, capable policewoman be bullied by street thugs?

Fang Jing smiled. “This was an assignment from my mentor. Ever since the Xingcheng incident, we’ve been busy cracking down on gangs. I’m responsible for this area.”

Tang Cheng flushed, embarrassed to have caused trouble.

“It’s fine. Alone, I might have blown my cover. Thanks for stepping in.” Fang Jing’s smile eased her discomfort.

The two female Alphas exchanged a knowing look.

Fang Jing teased, “Good thing you didn’t fight like last time, or I’d have had to haul you all to the station.”

“Officer Fang, you’re truly impartial.”

“We’re adults now. We must take responsibility for our actions. Before twenty, fighting might win a girl’s smile. But once grown, we must learn to wield the law instead.”

“Are you lecturing me?” Tang Cheng asked lightly.

“Not really. Just, what happened last time can’t happen again.”

Tang Cheng nodded, then suddenly froze. Her smile vanished. “What did you just say?”

“That what happened before can’t happen again?” Fang Jing repeated, startled by her sudden change.

“No, the sentence before that.”

Fang Jing thought back. “Before twenty, fighting might win a girl’s smile. But once grown, we must learn to wield the law instead?”

Across the table, Tang Cheng’s eyes lit up. She realized what was wrong.

It was a quiet epiphany. All her past doubts slowly unraveled. She understood now: when Lu Xinxue had called her “childish,” she hadn’t meant infidelity or misplaced affection. She had meant Tang Cheng’s way of thinking, her immature approach to problems.

That misunderstanding had driven them apart.

Tang Cheng had been using the mindset of a twenty-year-old to reach for the twenty-six-year-old Lu Xinxue. From daily life to emotional gestures, she thought she could rekindle youthful affection. But she forgot that Lu Xinxue had already walked alone for six years. What she truly needed was different.

Perhaps what Lu Xinxue needed was a mature, independent partner, someone who wouldn’t cry easily, someone who could stand beside her as an equal in their field. Tang Cheng wasn’t there yet. For now, she could only remain in the Lu Corporation, not as a pawn in Lu Xinxue’s hand, nor as the strategist at her side.

That was why Lu Xinxue, though she cared, kept pushing her away.

Fang Jing didn’t understand Tang Cheng’s sudden shift, thinking she had misspoken.

“Thank you, Officer Fang.”

A weight lifted from Tang Cheng’s heart. She was certain now: Lu Xinxue would not abandon her. She would not be discarded.

Fang Jing blushed slightly. “Really? My mentor told me not to talk about these things too much.”

Tang Cheng, however, was filled with urgency. She needed to see Lu Xinxue.

Seeing her newfound clarity, Fang Jing relaxed, her sense of justice shining through. “Don’t worry. If you ever need help, come to me. I’ll do everything I can.”

She truly was a people’s police officer. The question that had troubled Tang Cheng for nearly half a month was resolved in just a few words from Fang Jing.

The meal was pleasant, and Tang Cheng and Fang Jing chatted for a long time.

Tang Cheng learned that Fang Jing’s father was a respected frontline policeman, while her mother served as a court president. Growing up in such an environment, Fang Jing had been steeped in justice and compassion since childhood, known throughout her neighborhood for punishing evil and helping others.

No wonder she had dared to vouch for Tang Cheng the very first time they met.

After dinner, Tang Cheng escorted Fang Jing back to the police station before hurrying home herself.

Lu Xinxue had spoken cruel words again and again, pushing her away, refusing to admit any affection.

So, Tang Cheng had taken a roundabout path, using every possible way to test the love Lu Xinxue kept hidden. Whether by joining the Lu Corporation as a mechanic or by living together and blending into her daily life, each step was Tang Cheng’s strategy to draw closer, to prove that love existed.

Her fear stemmed from the unknown outcome of failure. If she couldn’t repair the chip, it meant she was useless to Lu Xinxue, equivalent to being abandoned and their engagement dissolved. But if Lu Xinxue truly loved her, then success or failure was irrelevant, a false question.

This realization surged through Tang Cheng like a tide. She needed to find Lu Xinxue and confirm the answer.

Caught in the whirlpool of emotion, she had worried endlessly, forgetting the essence of love itself, forgetting that she and Lu Xinxue had always loved each other.

Tomorrow was a public holiday. Tonight, she should be able to see her.

Tang Cheng sped home at 120 kilometers per hour. The lights upstairs were on. Without hesitation, she shut the car door and rushed inside.

It had been two days since they last saw each other, both busy with their own affairs.

As soon as she entered, she saw Lu Xinxue.

She was in a bathrobe, her long hair tucked under a shower cap, a face mask still on. She hadn’t expected Tang Cheng to return so soon.

At the sight of her, Tang Cheng’s anticipation melted into a rush of affection. She stepped forward quickly and wrapped her arms around Lu Xinxue.

Resting her chin gently on Lu Xinxue’s shoulder, she held her tightly before she could react. The freshly applied mask smeared onto Tang Cheng’s clothes. Lu Xinxue frowned, trying to push her away, but Tang Cheng’s embrace was firm.

In the struggle, the mask slipped off completely onto Tang Cheng’s shoulder.

She whispered at her ear: “Axin, I’m sorry.”

Sorry?

Sorry for ruining her mask? Lu Xinxue’s irritation flared. She pinched Tang Cheng’s waist sharply, making her flinch.

Finally pulling apart, she saw tears shimmering in Tang Cheng’s eyes. Lu Xinxue relented.

She tossed the ruined mask into the trash. “What are you doing?”

“I just missed you too much,” Tang Cheng explained.

Lu Xinxue asked, “Where were you tonight?”

Tang Cheng replied, “I grabbed a bite outside. Ran into Fang Jing, the officer who helped me with the paperwork. We ate together.”

Lu Xinxue said nothing more, only asked, “Do you have plans tomorrow?”

“No.”

“Grandmother wants us home for dinner tomorrow night.”

Tang Cheng nodded.

They exchanged glances, awkwardly silent. Tang Cheng broke it: “Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“Let me dry your hair.”

Lu Xinxue eyed her suspiciously. “You.”

“I’ve been thinking things through these past two days. Will you give me a chance to explain?”

Her sincerity made Lu Xinxue pause, then agree.

She went upstairs, Tang Cheng following quietly.

Lu Xinxue sat on the bed. Tang Cheng stood behind, adjusting the hairdryer’s speed and temperature.

She removed the shower cap, letting the damp strands fall into her hands. Warm air blew as she carefully separated the hair, ensuring it dried evenly.

Long ago, Lu Xinxue had enjoyed this same care. Back then, Tang Cheng was still young, yet already familiar with all her habits. Countless times she had dried Lu Xinxue’s hair at night. Only later did Lu Xinxue realize how troublesome washing hair could be.

“What was it you wanted to say?” Lu Xinxue asked.

“I want candy.”

Tang Cheng leaned closer, the hairdryer humming, her voice still audible.

Lu Xinxue turned, meeting her bright eyes and pale lips. Against her better judgment, she agreed, then quickly lowered her head, embarrassed.

Tang Cheng smiled softly and straightened, continuing to dry her hair with care.

Often, they didn’t need words. A single glance conveyed everything. In Tang Cheng’s eyes, Lu Xinxue saw expectation and understood instantly.

Silent yet eloquent, their gazes spoke of love. Sparks in the depths of their eyes, the rhythm of their breathing—no translation needed. In that moment, Lu Xinxue knew all that Tang Cheng wished to say.

They were like ancient trees, roots and vines intertwined, inseparable.

Lu Xinxue hadn’t changed. After all these years, she was still the same. Realizing this, Tang Cheng’s fears and doubts turned to ash.

When the hair was dry, Tang Cheng waited obediently as Lu Xinxue went to fetch candy.

Lu Xinxue sat for a while, then, seeing Tang Cheng’s gaze, remembered her promise. She shook her head, rose, and walked to another room.

On the second floor, she entered the third room. Nothing inside had changed. A mechanical workbench stood by the door—clearly Tang Cheng’s. Further in was a single bed.

The wardrobe held many things.

Lu Xinxue opened a drawer. Inside were gifts she had kept for years. Beside them was a box of candy.

She took one piece, locked the drawer again, sighed, and looked around the room. Dust had settled on everything. Since Tang Cheng moved in, she hadn’t had time to call housekeeping.

Returning, she found Tang Cheng quietly tidying the hairdryer, not touching anything else.

She handed over the colorful candy. Their fingertips brushed, and Tang Cheng’s smile bloomed with satisfaction.

The air was thick with dampness, laced with Lu Xinxue’s sharp thyme scent.