After My Fiancée Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha - Chapter 47

The location puzzled Tang Cheng. She took a screenshot of the message and sent it to Lu Xinxue for reassurance, then drove toward the coordinates Tang Qinggu had provided.

Leaving the city, she merged onto the highway, driving for nearly an hour before reaching the destination.

Inside, she spotted Tang Qinggu’s car. Her driver and bodyguard leaned against the door, smoking.

The surroundings were dilapidated. Tang Cheng dialed her sister. “Where are you?”

“Go inside. Third room on the left.”

The call remained connected as Tang Cheng walked forward.

It was an old nursing home. Few young people were around—only middle-aged caretakers tending to elderly residents. No one paid her much attention.

Third room, left side.

Through the phone, she heard Tang Qinggu’s familiar voice.

She lowered the device, peering through the rusted iron door. Inside, Tang Qinggu sat beside an elderly woman in a wheelchair, hair white, eyes vacant. She looked about Lu Fei’s age. Tang Qinggu was gently combing her hair.

The old woman lifted her head at the sound of footsteps, murmuring incoherently. Tang Cheng couldn’t make out the words. Her gaze met Tang Qinggu’s through the glass.

Setting down the comb, Tang Qinggu spoke softly to the woman, then rose to open the door.

Her usual warm smile was gone. She gestured for Tang Cheng to sit.

The old woman’s eyes remained fixed on Tang Cheng, mouth moving as if to speak. Tang Cheng looked to her sister, who nodded patiently, continuing the conversation.

“Grandmother remembers you from childhood. She still has an impression.”

Tang Cheng searched her memory. Yes, there had been an old servant who cared for Tang Qinggu. But the image was too distant, blurred by time.

“Why is she here?”

“When I went abroad, she was the one who cared for me.” Tang Qinggu gathered the woman’s hair, securing it with a black wooden pin.

Her name was Wang Si. Widowed young, she later lost her son. She worked as the Tang family’s gardener for over a decade, raising Tang Qinggu, the firstborn child, with affection.

After the divorce, because she was a daughter, Tang Qinggu was sent overseas. Wang Si accompanied her.

Recalling the past, Tang Qinggu fetched water, dampened a towel, and carefully wiped the woman’s hands.

“You asked why I never left City A.” Her voice was calm. “Liu Xiangqin feared I’d build a reputation abroad and return to claim assets. She had Grandmother committed to a psychiatric hospital. Her illness began there.”

Tang Cheng stiffened, staring at the frail figure.

The story was old, but Tang Qinggu’s tone was steady.

“She’s the one waiting for me to come home.”

“Yes.”

Emotion welled in Tang Cheng. She couldn’t imagine her loved one suffering like this. Would she have the strength to endure humiliation and start over?

She thought of Lu Xinxue, forced back her tears, and turned away. The old woman reached out, trying to touch her.

“It’s her, Grandmother. It’s Xiao Cheng.” Tang Qinggu clasped her hand gently, patient. The room was bright, tidy, clothes neatly folded. It was clear she cared deeply for the woman.

It was strange. Tang Cheng had grown up without family, yet here she saw her sister and grandmother leaning on each other. A pang of envy stirred.

“Let’s go home, Grandmother.” The packed luggage showed that, whatever the outcome of today’s meeting, this was the day Tang Qinggu would take her back.

“Tonight.”

“I’ll settle Grandmother first, then join you.”

Tang Cheng wanted to say there was no rush, but swallowed the words. Instead, she helped gather clothes. “Why tell me all this?”

“Because you’re different.”

“How?”

“You’re not the same Tang Cheng I knew years ago.”

Her brows twitched. She avoided her sister’s direct gaze, forcing a smile. “It’s still me. No second personality.”

“Compared to before, you’re more likable.”

“How so?”

“Less scheming on your face. You seem younger.”

They shared a smile. Wang Si clapped her hands, laughing. Tang Qinggu soothed her gently.

Young. A strange word. Tang Cheng didn’t want youth—she wanted maturity, to catch up to Lu Xinxue.

Tang Qinggu handed Wang Si to her care, then went to the front desk for discharge papers. Through the window, Tang Cheng noticed a black sedan outside. A chill ran down her spine. Nearby, young men in red vests held brooms—volunteers, perhaps.

When Tang Qinggu returned, she too sensed something. She pulled Tang Cheng close. “Are they here for you?”

Tang Cheng shook her head.

She couldn’t be sure. Tang Qinggu’s eyes narrowed, watching. A silent standoff lingered until her bodyguard approached, and the men turned away.

“Get in my car.”

No room for refusal. She called someone, gave instructions, then lifted Wang Si into the vehicle, placing Tang Cheng in the passenger seat.

Tang Cheng hadn’t expected it, her sister shielding her.

“Who did you provoke?”

“I don’t know.”

But she did. Someone wanted her taken. Last time in Xingcheng, Fang Jing had saved her. The missing manager Yuan Tai was involved. Yuan Tai linked to the Gu family. The answer was clear.

Why did the Gu family want her? To pressure Lu Xinxue?

Yes—Lu Xinxue had said the Gu and Lu families were in conflict. Was she the leverage?

That explained why Lu Xinxue had warned her not to be too visible. But then why let her join Lu Group? Was it truly for her mechanical talent?

“What are you thinking?”

Tang Qinggu’s eyes searched her. She knew Tang Cheng suspected, but Tang Cheng kept silent.

“I’m wondering who hates me so much.”

“Hates you or hates Lu?”

Tang Cheng looked up, uncertain of her meaning. Could she trust her?

“I’m your sister. If I can’t see the stakes, I’ve wasted my years. Don’t worry. I told you, we’re not enemies.”

Tang Cheng said nothing. Silence returned.

She had to admit, Tang Qinggu was the only one she could trust, for now. Lu Xinxue kept the past from her. Yu Xia’an clashed with her ideals. To uncover the buried truth, she had no choice but to work with this sister.

Her mind was sharp, her schemes ruthless. As an ally, she was a blade.

Through the rearview mirror, Tang Cheng saw Wang Si’s aged face, staring blankly out the window. If there was reason behind it all, perhaps Tang Qinggu wasn’t so bad.

The car reached an old apartment block. They took the elevator to the third floor.

Tang Cheng carried a heavy bag. “Second Miss, let me.” The driver took it, his arm sinking under the weight. He glanced at her with respect.

As a mechanic, her arms were stronger than most, muscles taut beneath her skin. She smiled faintly, stepping inside.

It was clearly a temporary home Tang Qinggu had rented. Old furnishings, faded wallpaper peeling at the edges.

In the living room stood a rose-patterned sofa, worn with age.

“You chose this place?”

“It’s where we used to live. Later, I bought the building.”

Tang Cheng blinked, then studied the rooms. Two bedrooms and a living room. One for Tang Qinggu, one for Wang Si. In the living room, a piano stood, with a photo of them together in younger days.

In the photo, Tang Qinggu looked barely twenty, her youthful face radiant with laughter.

At twenty, she had already learned to maneuver around Liu Xiangqin’s schemes, forced to smile through false alliances while guarding against venomous betrayal and the abyss at her side.

After settling Grandmother Wang Si, Tang Qinggu crouched beside her, voice tender:

“Grandmother, I’ll step out for a while. I’ll be back soon.”

The old woman clutched her fingers. “An, An.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

Her wrinkled hand loosened, turning toward Tang Cheng.

“I’ll be careful too,” Tang Cheng whispered, bending close.

Leaving the driver behind, the sisters drove together to meet Lu Xinxue.

“So, you don’t care about winning or losing?”

“If I succeed, I’ll have the power to purge Liu Xiangqin from the Tang family. If not, I’ll rest for a while.”

Her calm words revealed absolute confidence. Tang Feng was incompetent, unfit to manage the company.

“What’s your fallback?”

“None. This outcome was unexpected, but if I’m idle, I’ll spend time with Grandmother.”

Her hair had grown longer, curling slightly at the ends. Compared to when Tang Cheng first returned, her sharpness had softened.

“Your hair’s longer.”

“And I won’t cut it again.”

“You approached Sister Rou only for Axin?”

Tang Cheng glanced out the window. Tang Qinggu chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to ask that.”

“I’m just curious.”

She gave no answer, focusing on the road. Silence filled the car until they reached the restaurant. Tang Cheng unfastened her seatbelt, murmuring:

“Last time I said I’d help you seize power, then name my condition. Does that still stand?”

They had arrived early. The dark garage was nearly empty. Tang Qinggu unbuckled her belt.

“Of course. Even if it failed, we’re sisters. Help is natural.”

“Then answer me one question.”

“Go on.”

“Who do you trust?”

She turned, finally meeting her sister’s eyes. Those eyes, so unlike hers, yet strangely reminiscent of the Lu family.

“Someone who shows their hand completely, leaving no secrets.”

They shared a smile.

“Six years ago, at my engagement to Lu Xinxue, I lost consciousness. I only woke two months ago.”

Tang Qinggu’s eyes widened. “You’re testing me?”

“It’s true.”

She pressed her chin, stunned. “Wait, you mean, wait, wait.”

Tang Cheng let her absorb it.

“No wonder you looked so strange at the mid-year meeting. I didn’t notice—we weren’t close. But Lu Xinxue.”

Tang Cheng nodded. “I don’t know much about those six years. Axin won’t tell me. I need help to uncover the truth.”

Memories stirred in Tang Qinggu. It explained everything, her sister’s sudden change after the engagement, her altered temperament.

“Time travel?”

“Science must explain it. In Xingcheng, I was followed. Same people as today.”

“You want me to act for you, while you act for me.”

“A promise is a promise. I won’t break it.”

“Nor will I. But whatever happens, Tang family assets, mine or not, I’ll claim them.”

Tang Cheng nodded. For her, shares meant little. It was a gentleman’s agreement.

Their hands clasped firmly, sealing an alliance.

“My first suspect is the Gu family.”

“Reasonable. The Lu and Gu feud runs deep. Using you to pressure Lu Xinxue makes sense.”

“Axin announced divorce to avoid this.”

“Then why target you still? Either someone else is involved, or her plan was exposed.”

Tang Qinggu considered. “No one wants to wade into this feud. Lu is meticulous—six years without a slip. Exposure seems unlikely. More likely, something changed.”

Changed?

Tang Cheng thought back. The night before Xingcheng, her sudden weakness. Later, being followed. Lu Xinxue’s silence, was she protecting her? Was the change Tang Cheng herself?

“The problem is me.”

“How?”

“Axin never discusses business with me. Beyond daily life, she avoids it. I think my six years weren’t an accident, they were stolen.”

Tang Qinggu exhaled sharply. Stolen? By whom? How? When? Why? Questions loomed like storm clouds, impossible to dispel.

For Tang Cheng, voicing it brought relief.

“I feel dragged into a whirlpool. Better not to know.”

Tang Qinggu joked lightly, handing her a bottle of water. She drank deeply.

Tang Cheng held hers, untouched. “I don’t understand these things. But I know they run deep. I’m not qualified yet.”

“Schemes are just calculations. If you trust me, I’ll do my best.”

“For your shares?”

“Win or lose, Lu will cover me. Either way, I profit. Why wouldn’t I?”

Mentioning Lu Xinxue, Tang Cheng’s doubt flickered. “Why are you so sure she loves me?”

Tang Qinggu frowned. “She begged for the marriage herself. How could she not care?”

“What do you mean?” Tang Cheng’s voice rose, eyes locked on her sister.

“You don’t know? Lu is Omega. You’re Alpha. The Tang family has capital, but do you really think you match her?”

Tang Cheng’s silence confirmed her ignorance.

“She signed a wager with Old Lu. If she doubled Lu Group’s market value in three years, she could secure the marriage.”

Thirty words revealed the truth of the three years Tang Cheng had hated most.

Lu Xinxue had changed her path, endured distance, fought for the engagement. She had carried the weight alone, never telling Tang Cheng. What Tang Cheng thought natural had been won through sacrifice.

Her fingers clenched. Everyone knew the engagement was Lu Xinxue’s plea—except her.

“You were blind, buried in mechanics. And then.”

Tang Cheng knew. The plagiarism scandal, the false accusations. She had failed—failed Lu Xinxue, failed her title as a mechanic.

She had to prove herself again.

“We should go upstairs.”