After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 40

For that profit-driven sister.

Afterward, they maintained a relationship of midnight encounters—both fully aware of its purpose. One pursued ambition at any cost; the other leaned on memory as a crutch to escape heartbreak. But as time passed, the relationship began to change. By the time Zhong Rou realized, it was already nearing its end.

It should have been absurd, impossible even. Yet when she lifted her gaze, she saw the same helplessness reflected in Lu Xinxue’s eyes.

Neither of them had tried to love another again. Neither could truly empathize with Zhong Rou’s current state.

At last, Tang Cheng’s persistent question to Tang Qinggu “What do you really want?” found its answer.

“She wants the ten percent of shares in your hands,” Zhong Rou declared, her voice edged with resentment.

No wonder she had always indulged her. That was the goal. But wasn’t the Tang family already under Tang Qinggu’s control? What use was Tang Cheng’s ten percent?

“Tang Siyuan may hold shares, but he has no support. What she wants is the whole Tang family, purged of dissent.”

Zhong Rou knew everything. Tang Cheng, however, found it strange.

If Tang Qinggu was a money-obsessed, ambitious entrepreneur, why would she reveal all these plans to Zhong Rou?

Zhong Rou continued: “Liu Xiangqin somehow convinced Tang Siyuan to transfer thirty-one percent of his shares to her. Don’t be fooled by Tang family’s current momentum. If those shares end up with Liu and her son, then all of Tang Qinggu’s years of effort will have been for someone else’s gain.”

“She won’t let that happen,” Tang Cheng murmured.

By division: Tang Siyuan held thirty-one percent, Tang Qinggu twenty, Tang Cheng ten. Three younger siblings and Liu Xiangqin each held three, with thirty-six percent scattered among minor shareholders. Tang Cheng’s portion was the piece everyone coveted.

“So, she sidelined Tang Siyuan, sending him abroad on ‘vacation,’ to seize control of the family while she could.”

“I hold seven percent,” Lu Xinxue said quietly. “It came to me two years ago through Tang–Lu cooperation. Not under my name, but through two internet companies.”

“Yes,” Zhong Rou confirmed. “She told me that. Among the scattered shares, twelve percent are already in her allies’ hands. With your support and Tang Cheng’s, she would hold fifty-two percent, absolute control.”

“And if we don’t?”

“Then she’ll be ousted, and the Tang family handed to the fourth brother, Tang Feng, as acting CEO.”

Lu Xinxue lowered her eyes. “Better to cooperate with Tang Qinggu than leave it to that fool.”

“She won’t stop. I’m certain she has another card to play, though she’s never told me,” Zhong Rou whispered.

Another card?

“I believe it. No business is guaranteed. Let’s see whose plan is stronger.”

Lu Xinxue drained her glass of brandy, her eyes flashing with cold resolve.

She was helping Tang Cheng decide. She had seen her hesitation from the start, guiding her toward cooperation with Tang Qinggu. Aligning with the Tang family benefited them both.

But wasn’t this exactly what Tang Qinggu wanted? After years of scheming, she had finally achieved her aim.

Zhong Rou had planned to stay the night, but a call from her studio forced her to leave urgently.

Upstairs, the sheets were already changed. Tang Cheng lay down, savoring the rare comfort.

Lu Xinxue turned off the lights and joined her. The room fell into silence.

Tang Cheng reached out, holding her close. “When you come back from your trip, should I pick you up?”

“You keep this up, and Uncle Sun will be out of a job.”

“He deserves more rest anyway.”

Lu Xinxue turned to face her. In the dark, Tang Cheng could still see her bright eyes. The air carried faint thyme and sweet basil. Tang Cheng cupped her face, feeling her breath grow heavier.

“I’ll wait for you to come home.”

A soft “Alright” then lips pressed against hers, silencing further words. Their mouths met, Tang Cheng pressing her down, fingers trailing to the back of her neck, her palm warming against the gland there. She pulled back briefly, cool air rushing in, lips flushed in the night.

After a pause, Tang Cheng asked, “If it was me, would you be like Sister Rou?”

“Like her?”

She knew the answer, but teased anyway.

“Would you find someone else?”

“If it was you,” Lu Xinxue hesitated, “probably not.”

Her heart ached. She stumbled on: “Why?”

“Because no one can replace the past. Every moment is unique.”

“I think so too.”

They embraced fiercely, fingers locking tight, lips meeting again as if never to part, stitching their hearts together.

Passion deepened. Tang Cheng’s hand slid beneath her clothes, brushing soft skin, moving upward. Just as she was about to cross the threshold, Lu Xinxue pulled her hand away.

“I’ll mark you.”

Tang Cheng lowered her head obediently, burying her face in Lu Xinxue’s neck. Sharp teeth pressed into her gland, heat escaping her lips.

Every time Lu Xinxue marked her, the sensation spread from her neck down her spine, leaving her weak, collapsing into Lu Xinxue’s arms. Tonight, as Lu Xinxue’s tongue soothed the mark, she pulled Tang Cheng closer, hand gripping her waist.

She brushed aside Tang Cheng’s chestnut hair, revealing her flushed face. Her nose grazed her cheek. “Ah Cheng, wait a little longer.”

Strength returned slowly to Tang Cheng’s limbs. Just as she tried to rise, another mark came swiftly.

She fell back into Lu Xinxue’s trap. Summer’s air was heavy. She tried to reach for Lu Xinxue’s hand, but exhaustion defeated her. Cool fingers touched her forehead, wiping away sweat. Her hair clung damply to her skin. In the quiet, she heard faint whispers.

At last, the basil scent overtook the thyme. Lu Xinxue’s breathing steadied beneath her. Tang Cheng pushed herself up.

Hands circled her waist, pulling her close. “Sleep. I’ll shower.”

When Tang Cheng returned, refreshed, Lu Xinxue was propped against the headboard, eyes heavy but waiting.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Feels like something’s missing.”

Tang Cheng leaned in. “Missing me?”

“Mm.”

They smiled at each other, falling asleep in each other’s arms.

Lu Xinxue’s flight was at six. When the alarm rang, Tang Cheng was already awake. “I’ll take you.”

“No need. Uncle Sun is outside. The schedule’s tight.”

Still drowsy, Lu Xinxue kissed Tang Cheng’s cheek in farewell.

After she left, Tang Cheng opened her eyes. The faint thyme scent was gone, leaving her restless.

When Lu Xinxue was away, Tang Cheng stayed late at the company, testing new records. Yu Xia’an sometimes checked her work, but usually left with a frown, dissatisfied.

Still, Group Five remained harmonious. Even though Xie Chensong collapsed after a single drink, she insisted she could handle another the next day. Yuan Jie stayed at his desk, immersed in his own research.

“President Lu didn’t fund us just to tinker with business machines,” Yu Xia’an remarked, fiddling with Tang Cheng’s mechanical arm before returning to her lab. Tang Cheng had never been inside, though Xie and Yu Fan had.

That lab was likely the group’s highest secret. To enter, Tang Cheng would first have to answer Yu Xia’an’s question:

“Why did you choose mechanics?”

Tang Cheng had no answer. Every attempt had been dismissed. Perhaps she couldn’t give Yu Xia’an the real answer anytime soon.

She worked late into the night. Planning to head home, she remembered her other house, the one Zhang He had smashed. She had hired a renovation company, but never checked the finished work. Tonight, she decided to see it.

Driving there, she opened the door and was greeted by dust. She hadn’t been back in over twenty days. Opening the windows, fresh air rushed in, easing her chest. Most furnishings were intact; damaged pieces had been replaced.

She cleaned her workshop, finding in a toolbox a familiar piece of nanomaterial, leftover from past research. Time had worn it down, the thin layer of rust nearly gone.

She sealed it in a bag. Not a wasted trip after all. She packed up the tools and equipment, planning to take them home for study. Perhaps they would spark new ideas.

After tidying the house, she drove back smoothly.

The next morning, she carried the pile of scrap into the lab, immediately drawing attention.

“How old are these things? You still kept them?”

“Let me see that antique. I’ve never seen one in person!”

“Sister Tang, want me to help sort it?”

“Need repairs?”

“Not really. Here, I’ll handle it myself. They’re fine.”

She brushed off their chatter, answering each briefly.

Yu Xia’an dismissed the others, then picked up the sealed nanomaterial.

“This old stuff, I thought it had vanished from the market.”

Tang Cheng snatched it back. “What are you doing?”

“Just looking. It’s banned now.” Yu Xia’an explained, rummaging through the pile for more.

“There’s nothing else.”

“True. Aside from that piece, nothing here will shine again. Just junk.” She frowned, regretful.

By afternoon, Tang Cheng had repaired the nanomaterial. The day was gone. She wanted to continue, but Yu Xia’an sent her home.

“Rest early. We’ve got another project in a few days.”

Lu Xinxue’s flight was tomorrow morning. Tang Cheng decided to eat out casually.

She had just ordered when a loud crash sounded outside.

A chill of dread struck her. Turning, she saw a sedan slam into her car. The vehicle spun 180 degrees, its side pressed against hers, rear crumpled.

A woman climbed out—an Omega, wearing expensive glasses. Clearly overwhelmed.

Tang Cheng thought she looked familiar. Through the lenses, she met clear, innocent eyes. Then she remembered, the rimless glasses.

“Hello.”

“Is this your car? I’m so sorry, Tang Cheng!”

The woman recognized her first. “Yes. Hello. Long time no see.”

She hesitated, unsure how to continue.

“I’m sorry. My brakes failed. Please send it for repairs. I’ll cover everything.”

It wasn’t serious. Tang Cheng nodded, still trying to recall her name. Lu Xinxue had been furious once, this woman was a Gu. But what was her given name? Tang Cheng couldn’t remember.

“No problem, Miss Gu.”

They exchanged calls with insurance and repair services. The incident delayed Tang Cheng until nearly eleven.

At home, a faint light glowed upstairs. Lu Xinxue? She had returned early.

Her gloom vanished, replaced by joy. She hurried upstairs, opening the study door.

There she was—still in a sharp suit, laptop open, fingers flying. The warm light fell across her shoulders. She had just arrived, hadn’t even washed, already buried in work. Tomorrow’s flight, Tang Cheng guessed she had canceled more tasks to come home sooner.

“Welcome back.”

Tang Cheng stepped forward, her longing made real. Seeing her again stopped her heart, as if they had been parted for years.

“Where were you tonight?”

Lu Xinxue didn’t look up. Her voice was cold, her head bent over the screen.

Tang Cheng finally understood why Yu Xia’an had pushed her home early. Lu Xinxue had returned ahead of schedule, expecting her.

“You smell like Omega.”

Lu Xinxue’s fingers froze. She turned, eyes sharp, locking onto Tang Cheng.