How Could a Scumbag Alpha Possibly Love His Wife? - Chapter 53

Bai Juntang’s office was spacious and sleek. She was particular about every detail when it came to work. In her view, work was already hard enough—if the environment didn’t make it at least a bit better, it would just be unbearable.

To her, making money was meaningful only if it was used well. If the money was spent wisely, then every expense was worthwhile.

A wide, curved floor-to-ceiling window offered a sweeping view of the city. Bai Juntang sat in her chair and gestured for Cheng Jiajian to take a seat.

“Juntang, you must’ve been really busy lately, huh?” Cheng Jiajian said with a smile, trying to warm up the conversation. He accepted the coffee brewed by Xiaomi, Bai Juntang’s secretary, and chuckled. “Your secretary really knows how to make a good cup of coffee.”

Bai Juntang crossed her legs and studied him, her gaze slightly veiled. She spoke with a calm edge, “President Cheng, if you’re here to talk business, then a more professional tone would be appreciated.”

Cheng Jiajian glanced at her and knew right away—this woman never once took him seriously. Her attitude toward him had always been cold.

Arrogant and proud—clearly she looked down on the Cheng family.

Though bitterness swelled in his chest, Cheng Jiajian kept a smile on his face. He set down his coffee and said, “I heard you recently invested in a five-star hotel. I heard it’s going to be a landmark in Nanhai. Since you’re already back so soon, I assume everything’s going smoothly?”

Bai Juntang glanced at him with surprise—he didn’t have the full picture. Clearly, he hadn’t heard that the hotel project had fallen through.

Not that it was his fault. Even she had only learned the truth once she arrived on-site. How could someone as far removed from the matter as Cheng Jiajian know any better?

Most likely, he had picked up some gossip about her being involved in a lucrative project and came running, hoping to get a piece of the pie.

Bai Juntang nearly laughed out loud. It was as if someone had handed her a pillow when she was already falling asleep—just in time for a fool to walk right into a trap.

But despite her amusement, she kept a straight face and looked at him with slight concern. “And where did President Cheng hear about this?”

“Let’s just say a friend told me,” he replied. “But we’re all family now, aren’t we? A project that big—you can’t handle it all on your own. Why not let me help?”

“The project is large, yes. But I’m already partnered with two other firms. There’s really no room for anyone else.”

“I understand, but we are family. The Cheng family hasn’t had much luck with projects lately. Our previous investments have all wrapped up.”

He wasn’t even trying to be subtle. He was directly implying that the Chengs were out of projects and had their eyes on her five-star hotel investment, hoping to carve out a share.

Bai Juntang looked at him and marveled at how shameless some people could be. Her smile remained, but her eyes grew colder.

“President Cheng,” she said calmly, “this project is something I’ve managed from the ground up. It’s not something I can just hand over. We’re already about to break ground. How could I possibly bring someone else in now?”

Cheng Jiajian opened his mouth to respond, but Bai Juntang had already swiveled her chair away from him.

“If this is all you came for,” she said, clearly irritated, “then there’s nothing more to discuss. I still have work to do—I won’t be seeing you out.”

Faced with such a blatant dismissal, Cheng Jiajian’s face darkened. But in the end, he said nothing and quietly left her office.

Bai Juntang watched his retreating figure and a different idea began to take shape in her mind.

She needed someone to fall into a trap—and now one had come knocking.

After leaving Bai Juntang’s office, Cheng Jiajian didn’t go anywhere else. His company had no current projects, and his idle employees irritated him. So he went straight home.

As soon as he arrived, his wife, Xu He, came out to greet him. She helped him with his things and changed his shoes, but the more Cheng Jiajian looked at her, the more annoyed he became.

Scowling, he snapped, “That daughter you raised so well!”

Xu He was startled. She had no idea why she was being scolded. But she knew her husband had been in a bad mood lately. Business troubles weighed on him, and as his wife, she didn’t dare argue.

“What happened?” she asked, trailing behind him. “Did Qiaoqing get in trouble at school?”

“I’m not talking about Cheng Qiaoqing—I mean Cheng Wan,” he said irritably. “God knows what lies she’s been whispering into Bai Juntang’s ear. I went to talk to Bai Juntang today and got shut down cold. Completely humiliated.”

He scowled and added, “We never should’ve adopted her. We raised her for over ten years and she turns out to be nothing but an ungrateful brat.”

Xu He didn’t know how to comfort him. All she could do was try to calm him. “Alright, alright… What exactly happened? Is it about that project with Bai Juntang?”

Cheng Jiajian nodded, his face dark. “I got wind of a major investment she’s been working on—a five-star resort in Nanhai. If the project succeeds, it’ll boost the whole tourism economy there. It might even become a regional landmark—one of the top hotels in the Asia-Pacific.”

“That big?” Xu He’s eyes widened. “So that’s why you went to see her today?”

“Yes, but she completely shut me down. Wouldn’t even consider letting me in. Her attitude was like a wall.”

“That’s so rude. Aren’t you two technically family now? How could she treat you like that?”

The more Cheng Jiajian thought about it, the angrier he got. He was convinced Cheng Wan was still holding a grudge over that slap—and that’s why Bai Juntang wouldn’t let him near the project.

“Either way, we can’t let this project slip through our fingers,” he said bitterly. “We have to get involved.”

Then, turning to Xu He, he ordered, “Call Cheng Wan. Ask her to help arrange another meeting with Bai Juntang.”

Xu He looked uncertain. “Do you really think that’ll work? They’re on guard around us now.”

“It has to,” Cheng Jiajian growled. “If we don’t get a project soon, the company’s finished!”

His voice rose sharply, making Xu He flinch. She quickly nodded and went to make the call.

Watching her retreating figure, Cheng Jiajian scowled and muttered under his breath, “Useless Omega. Can’t do anything right.”

Bai Juntang got off work a little later than usual that day. By the time she arrived to pick up Cheng Wan, the official workday had already ended. The office was nearly empty, with just a few people still working. As soon as she walked in, Bai Juntang spotted Cheng Wan typing away at her desk.

She glanced around briefly, then walked over and casually pulled out a chair to sit beside her.

Cheng Wan turned when she sensed someone nearby. Seeing Bai Juntang, she was clearly surprised. Glancing quickly around the room and seeing no one watching them, she lowered her voice and asked, “Why are you here?”

“Came to see how your overtime’s going,” Bai Juntang replied, picking up a document from Cheng Wan’s desk and flipping through a few pages. “What are you working on?”

“Just coordinating some tasks with the advertising department,” Cheng Wan said, a little embarrassed.

Bai Juntang skimmed it, then lost interest. Her eyes lifted and settled on Cheng Wan’s face. She reached out instinctively. Cheng Wan flinched slightly, but not fast enough—Bai Juntang’s fingers brushed against her cheek, and she froze.

“It looks much better today,” Bai Juntang said gently, a soft smile in her eyes. “Did you just take your mask off, or haven’t been wearing it today?”

Cheng Wan, a bit sheepish, replied, “Just took it off. It was getting stuffy—I needed some air.”

Bai Juntang nodded. “Well, the ointment’s clearly working. Another two days, and you should be all healed.”

Cheng Wan responded with a quiet “Mm.” She was just about to say more when her phone rang.

Bai Juntang glanced at the screen and noticed the caller ID: “Mom.” She immediately guessed what this was about.

“Go ahead and answer it,” she said. “If she’s trying to set up a meeting, tell her we’ll do it this weekend—don’t say anything else.”

Though unsure what Bai Juntang was planning, Cheng Wan still picked up the call.

As expected, it was Xu He, asking to arrange a meeting with both of them.

“Alright, let’s plan for this weekend,” Cheng Wan said while glancing at Bai Juntang. Into the phone, she added, “I’ll confirm the time with her and get back to you.”

Bai Juntang squeezed her hand in approval, clearly pleased by Cheng Wan’s calm handling of the situation. “Let’s go home. Aunt Pei’s probably got dinner ready.”

In the blink of an eye, the weekend arrived.

The meeting was arranged at a traditional-style restaurant known for its homestyle dishes. The private room was quiet and quaint. Cheng Jiajian and his family arrived early.

Cheng Qiaoqing sat in the back, playing on her phone with a bored expression. She had no idea why she had to come along—this was obviously adult business, and she hadn’t wanted to come. But no matter what she said, both Xu He and Cheng Jiajian insisted she come.

Now she sat there, phone in hand, sulking under the air conditioner.

Just after 7 PM, the door to the private room opened, and in walked Bai Juntang, holding Cheng Wan’s arm.

Cheng Jiajian stood up immediately to greet them, while Xu He nudged Qiaoqing, telling her to get up and say hello.

“You made it!” Cheng Jiajian beamed as he walked over. “Traffic okay? Weekends are sometimes worse than weekdays.”

Bai Juntang smiled slightly, glancing at Cheng Wan and the others in the room. Then she said calmly, “No traffic. Dad, no need to stand—please, sit down.”

That one word—“Dad”—caught Cheng Jiajian off guard. He froze for a second before quickly recovering and turning to his daughter.

“Qiaoqing, greet your sister properly,” he urged.

Qiaoqing looked at Cheng Wan, then at Bai Juntang. Reluctantly, she muttered, “Sister.”

Bai Juntang didn’t seem to mind the younger girl’s lack of enthusiasm. She turned to Cheng Jiajian and said, “Have you ordered yet? Dinner’s on me tonight—no need to be polite.”

Seeing her attitude so relaxed, Cheng Jiajian became even more hopeful. Over dinner and a few drinks, he spent a long time hinting at his real reason for the meeting—he wanted in on the five-star hotel project.

Bai Juntang had a few drinks as well. She sighed with exaggerated helplessness and said, “It’s not that I don’t want you to invest. It’s just that the project only allows three investors.”

Cheng Jiajian, already tipsy, pressed further. “Dry Valley has plenty of projects, doesn’t it? One more or less doesn’t make a difference. Come on, Juntang—Wanwan is your person now. Shouldn’t we help each other out?”

Bai Juntang smiled at him, resting her head in her hand as she considered it. Then she nodded slowly and said, “Alright. Come to the office tomorrow. We’ll talk in detail.”

The moment he heard that, Cheng Jiajian’s eyes lit up.

He thought he’d just landed the deal of a lifetime.

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