After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 39

If it was the latter, then everything made sense.

The bathroom door opened, and the air filled with the mingled scent of shower gel and thyme. Tang Cheng turned her head, meeting the damp gaze of Lu Xinxue fresh from the shower.

“What are you thinking?”

“About you.”

Tang Cheng spoke bluntly. Lu Xinxue gave no response.

The long night stretched on. The villa’s last light was extinguished. Tang Cheng embraced Lu Xinxue from behind, and everything fell into silence. Summer’s warmth pressed close; sweat gathered at their temples.

Heavy breaths brushed her ear. Lu Xinxue tried to pull away, but Tang Cheng held her fast.

The night passed peacefully.

At dawn, Lu Xinxue stirred. Her hand reached across the bed, already cold. The chill woke her fully. She sat up, staring at the wrinkled sheets. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, then eased. Thankfully, it wasn’t a dream.

Her phone rang. Zhong Rou.

Lu Xinxue answered. Silence.

“Calling this early just to disturb my sleep?”

“Do you have time tonight? I think I’ve run into some trouble.”

Zhong Rou’s voice had lost its usual vitality. Lu Xinxue considered. “Yes. Tang Cheng won’t be home.”

“Then I’ll come over. I’ll explain in person.”

Another day, another call abruptly ended by Zhong Rou. Trouble? For her?

Zhong Rou owned a small but successful interior design studio. She was pampered at home, showered with resources, adored in her circle. Her career thrived, her family was perfect. What trouble could she possibly face?

Her tone reminded Lu Xinxue of the years when Zhong Rou had been defeated in love.

Tang Qinggu?

She could think of no one else.

Whatever it was, she would wait to hear it that evening.

Tang Cheng arrived early at the company, returning to Group Five. Yesterday’s incident was treated like a passing interlude, no one mentioned it again. Everyone resumed their duties. Xie Chensong was late, Yuan Jie went out for repairs, Yu Fan stayed in the lab, and Yu Xia’an sat at her desk playing games.

“Any tasks today?” Tang Cheng asked.

“Don’t you have your own research? With so many mechanical groups, you think you’ll be scheduled every day?”

Tang Cheng blinked. “I thought work meant endless assignments.”

“President Lu isn’t like that. Do what you want. Don’t be so stiff.” Yu Xia’an’s fingers danced across her phone, characters flashing on the screen. Tang Cheng looked away, feeling trapped in a den of wolves.

“What are you researching?”

“Golden Shovel. Want to play with me?”

“Not that! I mean your research direction.”

Yu Xia’an turned her head, eyes still glued to the phone. “Why ask? Do your own innovation.”

After a few exchanges, Tang Cheng realized one thing: she was hiding something.

With no further response, Tang Cheng returned to her desk and focused on her own project.

She had begun studying the chip she’d purchased, aiming to make it capable of human thought.

Unlike early artificial intelligence, which required networked computation and data comparison, this chip would rely on brainwaves to transmit thought. Like WF734, activity would become output. The chip would integrate with the brain, replacing mechanical engineering with cognitive tools—accelerating thought without altering the brain’s nature. Safer, perhaps, than Yu Xia’an’s earlier approach.

In the lab, Tang Cheng gathered equipment, connected the computer, and began experiments. Brainwave technology could interpret motor signals and emotions, but expressing them required networks and energy.

Her goal was to break free from those constraints. By simplifying the chip, she could build an independent thought model—personalized, unique. But she needed more data simulations to prove the chip could withstand complex brainwaves.

For energy, she turned to bioenergy, harnessing instinctive biological reactions to power the chip directly.

The theory held. She built the data model, though incomplete, until dusk fell.

That day, she reviewed every paper from the past six years on biotechnology and brainwaves. She left none unread. Unfortunately, after Yu Xia’an’s research had faltered, the entire field had grown silent.

Much of the old data was missing or forgotten.

If she wanted to pursue this further, Yu Xia’an was her only path.

“Let’s go. Tonight’s dinner. I’ll take you to a great private kitchen.”

At closing time, the office finally felt alive. The shift in atmosphere was so sudden that Tang Cheng realized only then how the day had carried a faint sense of death, like storm clouds lingering overhead.

She didn’t ask. The group drove to the restaurant, following Yu Xia’an’s directions.

When the menu reached Tang Cheng, the dishes she wanted were already marked. She looked up, meeting Yu Xia’an’s smiling eyes. She knew then, they had been chosen for her. Just like the meals she’d ordered at the company cafeteria days before.

The menu passed to Xie Chensong, then to the waiter. Yu Xia’an laughed brightly. “To celebrate Tang Cheng joining Group Five, I’ll make a toast!”

Tang Cheng lifted her glass, staring blankly at her.

Yu Xia’an: “I’m glad you joined. I hope you find your direction soon!”

Xie Chensong: “Let’s encourage each other.”

Yuan Jie: “I look forward to competing with you.”

Yu Fan: “Wishing you success, Sister Tang. Please guide us.”

“I, I’m happy too.” Tang Cheng gripped her glass, nervous.

“That’s enough,” Yu Xia’an chuckled. “Group Five’s rule: after hours, no hierarchy, jokes are fine. But during work, no mistakes. If you’re tired, rest. When you touch the equipment, give it your full focus.”

Her words carried weight. Tang Cheng noticed Yu Fan’s uneasy expression. She muttered, “Got it, boss. No next time.”

Tang Cheng whispered to Xie Chensong, “What happened?”

“Yu Fan shut off the power two nights ago. The system hadn’t finished updating. The shutdown corrupted the program. That’s why yesterday morning, when we powered it on, the system was wiped.” Xie Chensong explained, draining her glass of clear liquid.

Tang Cheng’s eyes widened. So that was the truth behind yesterday’s system failure?

The second shock came when Xie Chensong downed an entire glass of baijiu in one go.

Tang Cheng glanced sideways at her. She seemed fine at first, but a flush quickly spread across her cheeks.

Helpless, Tang Cheng looked toward Yu Xia’an. The dishes hadn’t even arrived, and already one person was drunk.

“It’s fine. Xiao Xie holds her liquor well—she won’t cause trouble,” Yu Xia’an said casually, as if this was nothing unusual.

Ignoring Xie Chensong, Tang Cheng voiced the doubt in her heart. “So that’s the reason?”

“What else?”

“But yesterday you looked so anxious.”

“That’s why Yu Fan got scolded badly.”

Yu Xia’an leaned her head on her hand, gazing lazily at Tang Cheng, her indifference a stark contrast to Tang Cheng’s alarm. Yu Fan, unable to bear the embarrassment, blushed. “Sister Tang, don’t say any more. It was my fault. The boss hates mistakes at work. It’s on me.”

“I, I wasn’t blaming you!” Tang Cheng hurried to explain. “I just worried all night. I didn’t expect it to be something like this.”

“Alright, alright. It’s over. Yuan Jie already fixed it.”

Yu Xia’an cut in, easing the heavy mood between them.

By the time the food arrived, Xie Chensong was already slumped over the table. Tang Cheng frowned. “Her tolerance is that low?”

“I’ll call Lin Xin to pick her up,” Yu Xia’an said, dialing her phone.

Tang Cheng’s curiosity stirred. With Xie asleep and Yuan Jie still awake, she couldn’t resist asking. From her first day, she had sensed something between those two. Yuan Jie always called her “Chensong, Chensong.” And that day when Lin Xin and Lu Xinxue had entered Group Five together, Lin Xin’s look toward her hadn’t been pleasant.

“What’s their relationship?”

“Manager Lin is Xiao Xie’s distant cousin,” Yuan Jie explained, glancing at Yu Xia’an on the phone. “I used to think there was something more, but honestly, they don’t match.”

Tang Cheng recalled Lin Xin’s demeanor. Indeed, she didn’t seem to fit with Xie Chensong. She pursed her lips and said no more.

“Hey, Sister Tang, did you know President Lu since childhood?” Yu Fan asked suddenly, voicing the question everyone seemed to want answered. Yuan Jie’s curious gaze joined in.

Tang Cheng hadn’t expected the topic to shift to her. Yu Xia’an stepped in to defuse it. “Back in college, I often saw her and President Lu together.”

“Not that often,” Tang Cheng murmured.

“At least once a month,” Yu Xia’an mused. “I used to wonder what kind of person could win your favor. Turns out it was President Lu. So, you were the one reaching up.”

At that time, the Lu family wasn’t yet prominent. Lu Xinxue had only just taken control of the corporation. Few knew her name. She wasn’t even as well-known as Tang Cheng.

“I’ve been with her since I was young. All these years, we’ve always been together,” Tang Cheng said. But then she fell silent. Could she really recount the rest?

Unpleasant memories surged. Her fingertips trembled, her chest tightened. She couldn’t go on.

Yu Xia’an noticed. “Eat first. Hurry, before Lin Xin shows up and freeloads again.”

“Yu Xia’an! I heard that!”

A voice rang out nearby, breaking Tang Cheng’s tension.

It was Lin Xin but far different from her usual image. High heels clicked against the floor, her tight monochrome outfit hugged her curves, her makeup and hairstyle crafted for the night. She looked like a siren straight out of a film.

“What, don’t recognize me?” she teased, seeing Tang Cheng’s stunned expression. “I’m not even finished with my night, and Chensong’s already drunk?”

“Lightweight. You sisters are complete opposites.”

Yu Xia’an waved dismissively, baffled.

Lin Xin carried Xie Chensong away, with Yu Fan helping. One gone, the dinner quickly wound down. They agreed to meet again once Xie was sober and never let her drink again. Yu Xia’an dismissed everyone home.

Tang Cheng returned before eight. The house lights blazed. A red Porsche sat outside. She knew instantly who it was.

Unexpected. With Lu Xinxue leaving on a business trip tomorrow, this guest hadn’t come uninvited. Which meant Lu Xinxue had allowed it. But why?

Tang Cheng opened the door. At the dining table, two women sat in sleepwear, staring back at her.

Lu Xinxue hadn’t expected her so soon. Tang Cheng hadn’t expected them to be so settled in. Were they planning to stay the night?

“You Tangs really are all trouble.”

The sudden curse made Tang Cheng freeze. She turned to Zhong Rou. Had she fought with Tang Qinggu?

“Eat something?”

With Lu Xinxue’s tacit approval, Tang Cheng went to the kitchen to prepare supper. Lu Xinxue followed a strict diet plan, if Tang Cheng wasn’t home, she skipped dinner. Zhong Rou, sulking, would surely be hungry soon.

Judging by the atmosphere, the night wouldn’t end quietly. At least she could listen in from the kitchen.

Zhong Rou glanced toward the kitchen, then at Lu Xinxue. Lu Xinxue nodded calmly. Zhong Rou understood, relaxing her guard.

When the food was served, Tang Cheng pieced together the story.

Tang Qinggu had schemed her way close to Zhong Rou for the sake of the Tang family’s cooperation. Now that the deal was done, she had left without a trace.

It fit perfectly with Tang Cheng’s impression of her.

She sat at the table. Across from her, Zhong Rou kept venting, ignoring the presence of the Tang family’s second daughter.

Last year, Zhong Rou’s girlfriend cheated. They broke up. In anger, she abandoned years of savings abroad and returned home to start over. She stayed in A City, where Lu Xinxue helped her rebuild, establishing her own studio. Within half a year, she was thriving—A City’s rising star, surpassing even her overseas success.

It was then that Tang Qinggu began maneuvering closer.

She had undeniable charm. Years abroad, her piano artistry gave her and Zhong Rou common ground.

Their first night together had been an accident. The bar was dim, Tang Qinggu deliberately imitating someone else. Zhong Rou recognized her, yet couldn’t resist her racing heart. They weren’t alike at all. Sometimes Zhong Rou couldn’t tell if she loved Tang Qinggu’s eager devotion under the bar’s lights, or the cold, distant woman she remembered.

Afterward, Tang Qinggu became like Cinderella in a gown, appearing only in the late hours. She spoke openly of her past, shared everything, played the perfect partner.

But her purpose never changed: cooperation with Lu Xinxue. Once Zhong Rou realized, she cut ties. Until a few days ago, it seemed they had truly severed all contact.

By the end of the story, Tang Cheng understood. Zhong Rou had fallen for her.