After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 42

The next day, Tang Qinggu returned to City A. Tang Cheng took special leave to meet her at the airport.

The Tang family had no shortage of drivers, but there were things only sisters could say face to face.

Tang Qinggu appeared in a sharp, tailored suit, no assistants trailing her. She carried a luxury handbag, her short hair styled to perfection. The calculating gleam in her eyes made Tang Cheng’s back prickle.

She couldn’t tell if it was her sister’s personal aura or the instinctive weight of blood ties, but Tang Cheng forced herself forward.

That familiar face, three parts like her own broke into a smile. “Xiao Cheng, I was just looking for you.”

“Shall we go? I’ll treat you to lunch.”

“Of course. I came back early today, left this noon free just for you.”

“And how were you so sure I’d come?”

“We’re sisters. A little telepathy isn’t too much to expect.”

Tang Cheng didn’t answer. The notion of sisterhood felt absurd. The Tang family had endless sisters, endless blood ties—but only those who created value were noticed.

She knew this truth too well. And there were things she would never give Tang Qinggu.

In the quiet private room, only the clink of porcelain broke the silence as Tang Qinggu poured tea.

“My shares with Axin can support you.”

Her hand faltered mid-pour. She smiled faintly. “So Zhong Rou told you everything.”

“You went to such lengths, achieved your goal, why don’t you look happy?”

Tang Qinggu rested her chin on her hand, hesitated, then shook her head. “I am happy.”

“But working with me, you won’t get all the terms you and Lu Xinxue demanded.”

“And without you, I won’t get the ten percent you hold?”

Tang Cheng arched a brow, smiling at her sister’s quick grasp.

“I only ever wanted the Tang family shares you and Lu hold.”

“You’re certain I’ll help you?”

“I was certain Lu Xinxue would. But now I see everything was within her calculations.”

Her tone carried regret, the disappointment of failing to gain an advantage.

“What calculations?”

“To seize power, I need seventeen percent more. Two years ago, I learned Lu Xinxue was liquidating overseas property under your name. At that time, the Lu and Gu families were at war. Why do you think she did it?”

Tang Cheng already knew the answer.

“For the day the Lu family fell, so the Tang family could shelter you. And as your sister, how could I not step in?”

“So, you want to use this chance to reclaim Tang shares.”

“Mostly, I don’t want my little sister to suffer.”

Hypocrite, Tang Cheng cursed inwardly.

“With your status, how could you not meet Lu Xinxue?”

“Because soon after, word spread you were breaking off the engagement. I couldn’t tell if the earlier news was true. And you were such a mess, I wasn’t about to touch that trouble. So, I waited.”

Tang Cheng caught the timeline. Lu Xinxue had said she’d thought of ending the engagement two years ago, but only released the news recently. Yet Tang Qinggu claimed she knew two years back.

Her sister saw her doubt.

“All of it came directly from your President Lu.”

Tang Cheng understood instantly. “Because you’re cunning. If she approached you openly, you’d raise the price. By feeding you information, she secured maximum gain with minimum cost.”

Tang Qinggu nodded. “I spent a week figuring that out. You saw it in minutes. Machinery really does sharpen the mind.”

“So, you’re calling me stupid before?”

“And you called me cunning.”

Tang Cheng bit back another retort. She had never realized Lu Xinxue could maneuver so deeply. Two years ago, everything began then. Plans for divorce, building Group Five with Yu Xia’an, clashing with the Gu family, laying her escape route. What had happened two years ago?

She etched the date into memory.

“Then why didn’t you raise the price, knowing Axin’s stance?”

Her sister’s eyes dimmed. “Because I can’t wait.”

“Did Tang Siyuan give all his shares to Liu Xiangqin?”

“Not only that. There’s someone important waiting for me at home.”

Tang Cheng was stunned. She didn’t know who, Zhong Rou? Or someone else entirely? The sadness in her sister’s eyes was unmistakable.

“What’s your plan now?”

“Tang Siyuan will return. At the shareholders’ meeting, I’ll strip away the word ‘acting’ once and for all.”

Her eyes blazed. She had waited too long for this day.

“And Liu Xiangqin?”

“What she stole will be mine again.” Tang Qinggu smiled bitterly. Tang Cheng didn’t know her sister’s past well, but she knew it hadn’t been easy.

“I’ll attend the meeting, help you seize power. Once the dust settles, we’ll discuss what you owe me.”

“You’re not afraid I’ll discard you after?”

Tang Qinggu found her sister almost endearing, like a child stepping into the ruthless world of power, forced to lean on the person she least liked. Contradictory, but real.

“Because I haven’t decided what to ask of you yet.”

“Then I’ll wait.”

The dishes had gone cold. They ate quickly, ending the lunch.

As they left, Tang Cheng hesitated. Under her sister’s questioning gaze, she stammered:

“You and Sister Rou.”

Tang Qinggu chuckled. “She won’t see me. Can you make her come out?”

Tang Cheng shook her head. She had no such ability. Tang Qinggu waved her off. “Go home. We’ll meet again soon.”

Tang Cheng left, rushing back to the company. Two projects awaited.

The Mechanical Six Ancestors had just released two concept designs, sent to Group Five for testing. Not difficult, but highly complex. Yu Xia’an handed them to Tang Cheng, her first independent assignment. She treasured the chance.

Everyone in Group Five was absorbed in their own research. Tang Cheng’s return drew little notice.

She spread the files, organized her thoughts, and began working.

The input-type adoption machine could quickly detect requirements, locating within limited data. Intriguing. She chose a chip, fitted it, donned precision lenses, and began.

It wasn’t hard. She finished swiftly, submitted two reports to Yu Xia’an. By then, the sun was setting, dusk falling.

Yu Xia’an approved the proposal. Seeing Tang Cheng once again leave work on time, phone in hand, sending messages, she called out almost involuntarily.

“Ah, any other questions?”

“No. You go ahead and finish up.”

Tang Cheng caught the depth in her gaze, a trace of searching, of quiet disappointment. But Lu Xinxue was messaging her, and Tang Cheng hurried toward the underground garage, ignoring Yu Xia’an’s attempt to call her back again.

Moments later, Xie Chensong approached, testing the waters. “She still hasn’t awakened, has she?”

Lu Xinxue’s heat cycle came swiftly. Yesterday had shown only faint signs, but the reverse marking could only ease her temporarily. To endure each month smoothly, an Alpha’s mark was still required.

Tang Cheng rushed to the garage, climbed into the car, and they sped home.

Soon, the vehicle was saturated with Omega pheromones, the sharp scent of thyme filling the air. Tang Cheng’s nape grew warm, Alpha pheromones being coaxed out by the woman beside her.

Lu Xinxue sat rigidly in the back seat, hands clenched tight in her lap. Cold sweat slid down her jawline, staining her collar. Her lips pressed together, head leaning against the glass, eyes shut tight, fighting the fever burning across her face.

Earlier cycles had never been this severe—usually just leakage, manageable with suppressants. But now even basic movement was difficult.

Tang Cheng pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her, guiding her head to rest on her shoulder. Hot breath brushed her ear, steady and heavy, and her grip around Lu Xinxue’s waist tightened instinctively.

Lu Xinxue was strong, but Tang Cheng could not fathom her suffering. They shared knowledge, but not empathy.

Her first reaction was a pang of bitterness. She was an Omega, yet fate had twisted their roles, leaving Lu Xinxue to bear this pain alone.

“Axin, we’ll be home soon.”

“Mm.”

Her voice was faint. The heat at her nape surged, waves pounding her skull, threatening to drown her consciousness. Fingernails dug into her palms as she fought to stay awake. She could not lose control.

The reverse mark from last month had buffered her, sparing her collapse. Without Tang Cheng, even her endurance would have failed. She knew too well what an unconscious Omega in heat might do. She could not, must not be marked.

Perhaps it was Tang Cheng’s warmth, or the soothing sweetness of basil, but gradually her mind cleared. The first wave passed.

“Tang Cheng, you mustn’t mark me.”

Her whisper brushed Tang Cheng’s ear.

Tang Cheng’s gaze softened, torn between pity and restraint. She nodded. “I remember.”

At home, Sun Qiang opened the car door. Tang Cheng carried Lu Xinxue inside quickly, shielding her pheromones from the outside world.

Upstairs, she switched on the air circulation, loosening Lu Xinxue’s tight suit.

“What are you doing?”

Her pale hands pressed against Tang Cheng’s. Tang Cheng laid her down. “You’re burning up. Take off your clothes, or should you mark me first?”

Lu Xinxue moved her hand away, offering no further resistance. But the second wave struck mercilessly.

A strained sound filled the room. She tried to suppress it, but her pheromones spilled out.

Soft lips brushed her skin. She opened her eyes, Tang Cheng had bent close, sweeping her hair aside, offering the vulnerable gland at her nape.

Without hesitation, Lu Xinxue’s mouth closed over it. The fresh basil flooded her senses, cooling the fire instantly, addictive in its sweetness.

Her tongue teased, lips sucking gently, like a child tasting candy for the first time. She had never been properly soothed during heat. Now, with an Alpha’s gland against her lips, relief was real.

Tang Cheng’s face flushed, her gland hypersensitive, while Lu Xinxue drew recklessly, thyme saturating the air.

“Axin.”

The call jolted her awake. She released the gland slowly, a thin silver thread breaking in the cool air.

“You’re all right?”

“It hurts a little.”

Tang Cheng pressed her hand to the overheated gland, damp with saliva. Seeing clarity return to Lu Xinxue’s eyes, she exhaled. “Eat something light tonight. Wait for me, all right?”

Dazed, Lu Xinxue nodded, letting Tang Cheng go downstairs to cook.

The marking ended. Sweat clung to her skin, but the fever had broken, leaving her refreshed. Yet her limbs felt weak, heavy with inertia. She leaned against the headboard, breathing steadily.

Was it because of Tang Cheng? Because with her near, dependence bloomed.

She glanced toward the closed door. Outside, Tang Cheng wiped her brow, pressing a hand to her racing heart. If she hadn’t stopped herself, she might have broken her promise.

Her nape still sticky, she splashed cold water on her face.

When she returned with dinner, Lu Xinxue had already changed, seated in the study, working through documents. Her cheeks still flushed, but her fingers moved swiftly, precise as ever.