After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 41

Tang Cheng sat down nearby and began explaining to Lu Xinxue what had happened earlier that night.

“Gu Simiao?”

“Yes, yes, that’s it—I just remembered, that’s the name.”

Tang Cheng finally recalled. Since she was from the Gu family, it wasn’t surprising that Lu Xinxue knew her.

“She’s still a competitor of ours. Best to avoid contact if possible. Let Xiao Zhao handle the arrangements, and take my car.”

Tang Cheng nodded. Still carrying traces of another scent, she dared not sit too close. After showering, she returned to find Lu Xinxue unmoved, eyes sharp, still working, uncertain how late she would be up tonight.

“When will you rest?” Tang Cheng made sure only the sweet basil pheromone lingered on her, then sat beside Lu Xinxue, one hand mischievously hooking around her waist.

Lu Xinxue ignored the gesture, eyes fixed on the report on her screen. “Just a little longer.”

“The day after tomorrow’s a holiday. Once we finish tomorrow, let’s go out. A new Sichuan restaurant opened on Back Street, you’ll like it. We can shop a bit too.”

Tang Cheng suggested. Lu Xinxue nodded. “You arrange it.”

She had rushed back only to work through the night, until midnight. Beside her, Tang Cheng was drowsy, slumped over the desk. As Lu Xinxue stood to stretch, she brushed a hand over Tang Cheng’s face and asked softly, “Want to go to bed?”

“It’s fine. I’ll wait for you.”

Lu Xinxue bent to kiss her hair, then went to wash up.

The next morning, Tang Cheng slipped back into Lu Xinxue’s private car, beginning the pleasant routine of commuting together.

All day she wore an inexplicable smile, unsettling Yu Xia’an.

She had already reserved the restaurant, having heard about it from Yu Fan at lunch two days earlier. Lu Xinxue’s love of spice was far beyond Tang Cheng’s tolerance, so before leaving work she filled up with two pieces of bread.

The restaurant was new, so Sun Qiang’s car couldn’t get close. He dropped them off a distance away, and they walked through the crowded street.

Inside was quieter, with private booths on either side. The air was thick with chili, seeping into the skin. The cool air-conditioning couldn’t cut the heat.

Lu Xinxue’s delight was visible, already conquered by the savory spice before tasting a bite.

She studied the menu seriously, but hesitated too long.

“Nothing appeals?”

“Too many choices.”

Tang Cheng blinked, surprised. “No rush, we can stay as long as we like.”

In the end, Lu Xinxue ordered only three dishes, plus a stir-fried mushroom dish for Tang Cheng.

“One of the girls in Group Five recommended this. If it’s good, we’ll come back.” Tang Cheng wiped her hands with a wet towel. Lu Xinxue nodded, clearly intending the same.

The wait wasn’t long. The dishes arrived, vibrant and fragrant. Tang Cheng was dazzled; Lu Xinxue looked satisfied.

Authentic Sichuan—color, aroma, flavor all perfect.

Even the mushrooms carried spice. After two bites, sweat beaded Tang Cheng’s forehead. She gratefully accepted the cold drink Lu Xinxue handed her, easing the numbing burn.

By the time she was drenched in sweat, the meal was nearly done.

Lu Xinxue, by contrast, remained composed, only her lips faintly flushed.

They left the restaurant steeped in chili fragrance, joining the lively crowd on Back Street.

Lu Xinxue asked, “Do you come here often?”

“Not really. When you’re not home, I just find some place to eat.”

“What do you usually eat?”

“Simple stir-fries—you know, just to fill up. What about you? When I’m not home, what do you eat?”

“Sometimes there are receptions, so I have snacks. Otherwise, I eat whatever Uncle Sun eats.”

“No wonder you’re so slim.”

Lu Xinxue shot her a look. Just then, a child bumped into her, a pretty little girl, hair neatly tied, staring blankly at the two elegant women.

Lu Xinxue bent to help her up, brushing off dust. A colorful lollipop lay on the ground. The girl’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at Lu Xinxue, aggrieved.

“I’ll buy you another one,” Lu Xinxue said gently.

Tang Cheng stayed silent, watching.

The girl’s lips trembled, and she burst into tears. “Candy!”

Lu Xinxue smoothed her hair. “I’ll buy you candy. Are you here alone?”

Tang Cheng’s memory stirred, back when she first came to the Lu family, Lu Xinxue would tease her, play with her, ask softly if she wanted candy. If she lost it, no matter, Lu Xinxue always carried plenty of snacks.

“Mommy’s gone,” the girl whimpered.

Lu Xinxue understood. “I’ll get you candy first, all right?”

The girl thought for a moment, then nodded, sticky hand clutching Lu Xinxue’s finger.

Lu Xinxue looked up at Tang Cheng. “Come on, let’s buy her candy.”

Tang Cheng lowered her gaze, then followed, searching for a candy stall while also scanning for the child’s family.

The street felt endless. No one turned up. Lu Xinxue bought her a pink pinwheel instead.

“No luck?”

“Not this way. We’ll have to go back.”

The girl, still holding Lu Xinxue’s hand, looked timidly at Tang Cheng.

A flicker of irritation rose in Tang Cheng, why should this child cling to Lu Xinxue, be indulged with candy? She quickly suppressed it.

Suddenly, a frantic figure rushed toward them. Tang Cheng stepped forward protectively.

“Mommy!” the girl cried.

Her mother scooped her up, thanking them profusely. Lu Xinxue smiled, saying it was nothing. The girl, reluctant, kept glancing back at her as she left.

Lu Xinxue teased, “What, jealous of a child?”

Tang Cheng huffed. “Hardly. She wasn’t that cute.”

“Really?”

“Well, she did get the president of Lu Group to buy her candy. That’s quite the honor.”

They walked on together. Fate seemed to deny the girl her treat, just a few steps later, they passed a candy stall.

Tang Cheng laughed. “Too late now.”

Lu Xinxue ignored her, stepping forward to buy a candy identical to the one the little girl had dropped.

“What, are you planning to go find her again today?”

Tang Cheng was puzzled until the candy was suddenly held up to her lips. Lu Xinxue had already unwrapped it and pressed it into her mouth.

“Don’t be jealous. She’s just a child.”

Tang Cheng accepted it, feeling a sudden flush of embarrassment. How childish, competing with a little girl over candy.

Lu Xinxue tossed the wrapper into a nearby bin. “Didn’t she look familiar to you?”

“Familiar?”

“She looked like you, the first time I met you.”

Tang Cheng froze, staring blankly at her. The candy in her mouth suddenly tasted bitter. After a long pause, she laughed softly. “I was like that too? Dirty and scruffy?”

“You also had the president of Lu Group personally buying you candy. Isn’t that quite the honor?”

Tang Cheng laughed, their eyes meeting before they continued walking side by side.

Back home, Tang Cheng finished the candy while Lu Xinxue went upstairs to shower. Tang Cheng stayed downstairs, tidying the things they had bought along Back Street.

She held the candy stick, memories stirring—the very first time she had met Lu Xinxue.

It had been so long ago, buried deep in memory. Back then, Lu Xinxue was playful, untouched by the cool reserve she carried now. She was still a lively young heiress. Tang Cheng, not yet the Tang family’s second daughter, had only watched from the attic when Lu Fei brought the young Lu Xinxue to a family gathering.

The night before, punished by Liu Xiangqin to clean the courtyard, Tang Cheng had gone hungry all day. Sneaking into the back garden to find food, she hid beneath a long tablecloth only to meet a pair of clear, curious eyes.

The little girl pressed a hand over her mouth, soft and delicate. In that moment, Tang Cheng’s world narrowed to this one young lady.

“Shh, don’t let Aunt Feng see me. We’re playing a game.”

Lu Xinxue nodded blankly. “I’ll give you candy!”

Since Tang Cheng’s mother’s death, she hadn’t eaten candy. People told her it was bitter. But that day, she accepted the sweet offered by the little girl.

“Why are you crying?”

It was Lu Xinxue who noticed first, lifting her hand to wipe away Tang Cheng’s tears. Her gaze was gentle, probing, full of pity.

Tang Cheng had never met anyone so delicate. The brightly wrapped candy was peeled open and placed into her mouth by this young heiress herself.

“Is it good?”

Little Tang Cheng nodded, lips pressed tight to hold back tears. Suddenly, she was pulled into an embrace.

“Grandma says hugs stop the crying. I’m Lu Xinxue, you can call me Axin.”

Under the table, in her beautiful dress, the girl reached out with hands that seemed to promise a future.

“I’m Tang Cheng.”

After that, Tang Cheng was brought into the Lu household, becoming the Tang family’s rightful second daughter.

“Tang Cheng!”

She snapped back to the present, gaze falling on the potted plant across the room. “I’ll water the plants and come up.”

She carried a bowl of water to the kitchen, tending to the yellowing leaves, pouring the rest into the sturdier succulents. On the table, tulips were still in bloom. Tomorrow, visiting grandmother, she would likely bring back fresh flowers again.

She tidied up, turned off the lights, and went upstairs.

The next day, they left early for the old estate.

Tang Cheng remembered the last visit, Lu Xinxue’s attitude had revealed much. Lu Fei hadn’t come to see them off, but the bouquet had been for Lu Xinxue, the wine for Tang Cheng.

Lu Fei had stepped back, leaving Lu Xinxue to return home early to accompany the elder.

Compared to her memories, Lu Fei seemed changed. Tang Cheng grew more curious about what had happened in those six years to transform Lu Xinxue from a proud young woman into today’s restrained president while Lu Fei spoke of compromise. Yet the Lu Group showed no signs of decline.

Aunt Feng still waited at the door. When Sun Qiang’s car arrived, she greeted Tang Cheng warmly. Lu Fei knew she had come.

Tang Cheng met Lu Xinxue’s eyes, receiving a reassuring glance, and walked with her into the estate.

The old house was filled with flowers. The garden had been carefully designed so blooms appeared year-round. The fragrance mingled with thyme. Tang Cheng stepped forward to support Lu Xinxue, surprised to find her hand warm instead of cold.

Her heat cycle was only three to five days away, Tang Cheng had estimated but it seemed to be arriving sooner.

Even at home, she had noticed the faint spill of pheromones. “It’s fine. Just normal leakage.”

She gently pushed Tang Cheng away, reassuring her, and continued inside.

Lu Fei sat in a wheelchair, silver hair neatly tucked behind her ears. At the sight of Lu Xinxue, she finally smiled.

She almost ignored Tang Cheng, after all, Tang Cheng was only Lu Xinxue’s choice.

Tang Cheng obediently placed her gifts on the table, then followed Aunt Feng into the kitchen, leaving the two to talk.

Through lunch and dinner, Lu Xinxue stayed with Lu Fei, their conversation ranging from company affairs to the mothers returning to City A at year’s end. Tang Cheng helped Aunt Feng in the front garden, trousers rolled to her knees, occasionally glancing through the window at the two women.

“Aunt Feng, do they often talk like this?”

“Not really. It’s been a long time. The president wants Axin home more often, but she’s too busy with the company.”

Lu Xinxue sat upright beside Lu Fei, her eyes so similar—long, narrow, slightly upturned. But unlike Lu Fei’s gentle smile, Lu Xinxue’s gaze carried sharpness.

Yet when she looked seriously at someone, her eyes brimmed with affection, with time itself, with love eternal. They told the story of their bond, their shared past, so intensely that Tang Cheng dared not meet them directly.

When they left, Lu Fei asked Aunt Feng to send them off with freshly cut flowers and a bottle of wine, same vintage as before. The two women exchanged a glance, then laughed.