The Second Fall - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Heh! Greasy Scumbag Alpha!

Hao Liuhua fell silent.

She took a sip of tea, lowering her eyes as if in deep thought. From Tan Xiangming’s perspective, Hao Liuhua’s eyelashes were gilded by the sunlight; reflecting in her forest-colored eyes, they looked like a stroll through the wild mountains.

Her features were somewhat mixed, resembling a Western beauty, with a particularly striking bridge of the nose and deep-set double eyelids. Even for someone like Tan Xiangming, who was accustomed to seeing beauties in the entertainment industry and high society, this felt fresh—a distinct, profound beauty.

Tan Xiangming didn’t dwell on the origins of Hao Liuhua’s mixed-race look. After all, she was just an unfamiliar fiancée; she wasn’t that interested.

In fact, she wasn’t very familiar with the structure of the Hao family either. Since the moment she was born, her older sister had displayed the potential of a child prodigy and was groomed as the heir. From the time Tan Xiangming could remember, she was free to eat, drink, and play. The family business didn’t need her management, so she could do whatever she wanted. She could skip classes if her grades were bad, refuse to learn arts she disliked, and if she wanted to play in the mud or farm, her mother would even take her to the countryside to do so.

Tan Xiangming grew up as such a free-spirited young miss. One day, she was suddenly notified that her sister was too busy with work to handle the engagement, so the marriage contract fell to her instead. Naturally, Tan Xiangming couldn’t accept it easily, so she ran away for five years. Five years later, she grew tired of playing and decided an alliance wasn’t so bad after all—so she returned.

While Tan Xiangming’s thoughts drifted, Hao Liuhua moved. She dropped her playful expression and aimed her knife and fork at the cake she had pushed toward Tan Xiangming. Just as Tan Xiangming was about to snap, the best part of the cake was delivered to her lips on a fork.

Tan Xiangming, deflated like a punctured pufferfish, glared at Hao Liuhua but opened her mouth to accept the feeding from her fiancée.

“Let me say this first: I don’t want an alliance, and I’m not satisfied with you. You need to show more sincerity,” Tan Xiangming said. She had spent a week catching up on high-society politics after agreeing to the marriage.

The alliance benefited both families, but overall, the Hao family needed it more. That was why they endured Tan Xiangming’s five-year disappearance and sent another invitation the moment she returned. Tan Xiangming planned to use this point to act out as much as possible before the wedding to gain more benefits. Although Hao Liuhua probably wouldn’t mistreat her after marriage, she was still losing her freedom to love. Her romantic freedom was expensive; it remained to be seen how Hao Liuhua intended to pay for it.

“Why are you dissatisfied with me? Do you think I’m old?” Hao Liuhua wasn’t provoked; she continued her duty of cutting the cake for Tan Xiangming. Her words were direct, but her tone was as gentle as water, like a warm neighborhood sister taking care of a naughty younger sibling.

Tsk, old fox. Treating me like a business transaction. Tan Xiangming smacked her lips; even the cream tasted sour, making her arch an eyebrow.

“You are quite—” She didn’t finish her sentence before Hao Liuhua looked up. Her eyes, the color of kingfisher feathers, looked at Tan Xiangming with a smile. At thirty, she was in her prime; she couldn’t be called old by any standard. Moreover, Hao Liuhua took good care of herself; her spirit was excellent, and her features had the refined charm of maturity.

Facing that face, Tan Xiangming’s words got stuck in her throat. Angered, she bit down on the fork and pulled it out of Hao Liuhua’s hand. Hao Liuhua’s fingers intertwined with hers as if dancing, easily retrieving the fork while simultaneously wiping the corner of Tan Xiangming’s mouth.

Tan Xiangming instinctively closed her eyes, her heart trembling at the sense of familiarity. It felt as though she had closed her eyes like this before, having the corner of her mouth wiped by someone. It wasn’t someone she knew, and likely wasn’t from a film set—otherwise, she wouldn’t feel this bittersweet ache.

Hao Liuhua withdrew her hand in an instant. After removing her gloves, her fair fingers looked even longer, her nails perfectly shaped—like a tempting delicacy. Tan Xiangming pursed her lips, the lingering tingle at the corner of her mouth reminding her of the sensation. She blinked several times; she had unintentionally lost the upper hand. This was not good.

“If you really dislike me, my family has a younger sister.” Hao Liuhua’s lashes lowered over her jade-colored eyes again as she looked for a photo on her phone. “Have a look?” She handed the phone to Tan Xiangming.

Tan Xiangming paused. If the sister was prettier and younger, it would definitely be better to switch. A younger one would be easier to control; they could make an agreement where Tan Xiangming could still go out and play while the sister covered for her. Tan Xiangming, having an overachieving sister herself, knew that older sisters were all “gentlemen” on the surface; it was better to have a younger sister like herself.

Then, Tan Xiangming saw the face of a high schooler.

“…Is this sister even an adult?” She wasn’t looking for an engagement; she was looking for marriage. Hao Liuhua was trying to scam her.

“She is. She’s twenty this year. Doesn’t she look it?” Hao Liuhua took the phone back and glanced at it.

Tan Xiangming lost interest. The sister hadn’t inherited the mixed-race look; she still preferred Hao Liuhua’s face. “I’ll stick with you. I’ll reluctantly accept,” she huffed, finishing her pastry.

Hao Liuhua stood up to refill her tea and opened the menu for her. According to the families’ expectations, they should eat together today—in fact, it would be best if they didn’t return to their separate homes at all. As real estate tycoons, the Tan family had prepared several bridal homes, just waiting for Hao Liuhua to move in with her wife.

“You haven’t ordered yet,” Tan Xiangming said casually while scrolling through the tablet.

“I don’t know your preferences yet; I didn’t dare order blindly.”

“Didn’t you talk to my sister?” Tan Xiangming circled a few dishes. The restaurant Hao Liuhua chose specialized in home-style cooking—the kind that actually fills you up—which satisfied Tan Xiangming.

“She hasn’t seen much of you in five years. She probably doesn’t understand the current you very well,” Hao Liuhua said, pointing to two dishes as recommendations. Tan Xiangming was surprised they matched her taste exactly. Upon reflection, the cake and tea had been very thoughtfully chosen too. This fiancée had truly done her homework; she was sincere about completing this alliance.

Sigh. Farewell to her youth and romantic freedom. Tan Xiangming said goodbye to her past self in her heart. She didn’t have much to nitpick; at least Hao Liuhua was beautiful, even-tempered, and rich. Oh right, her post-marriage allowance.

“How will we split the assets?” The food arrived quickly. Almost as soon as she submitted the order, the cold dishes were served, as if the kitchen already knew what she would pick. Tan Xiangming relaxed as she ate; her tone lost its initial aggression. She was ready to talk marriage seriously.

“I don’t have much money. If you look at the entertainment news, you’ll know I’m an 18th-tier actress covered in scandals. I’ve paid all my money back to production teams; I’m broke.” This was a lie. Tan Xiangming had a decent private vault. After returning home, her mother and sister gave her all the red envelopes from the past five years and opened new cards for her to use after the wedding. Of course, her funds came from her family; they couldn’t compare to Hao Liuhua, who managed her own company.

“You will be given 5% of the company shares as agreed. My personal monthly income is between 80 million and 200 million; I can give you half.” Hao Liuhua placed food in Tan Xiangming’s bowl, seemingly unsurprised that she was bringing up money.

“Only half? Sister Hao~ For you, I’ve left the industry. I won’t have an income after we marry.” The companies Tan Xiangming invested in weren’t all losses; some made money, but compared to her sister, the amounts were negligible. Claiming to be broke was just a way to squeeze Hao Liuhua.

“…Seventy percent is fine. I can’t give you the remaining thirty; I still need liquid capital to run the company, just in case.” Hao Liuhua smiled helplessly. She actually called me ‘good sister’ in such a coquettish tone… Hao Liuhua almost gave her everything she owned.

Hearing “seventy percent,” Tan Xiangming immediately beamed, performing a perfect “face-changing” act. “Then thank you, Sister. My card number is…” She realized they had talked for so long without even exchanging contact info.

“I’ll add you. Send me your other contact info later too.” Hao Liuhua took out her phone, seemingly switching accounts before presenting her QR code. Tan Xiangming caught a glimpse of Hao Liuhua’s work account profile and a clear notification: “You are not yet friends with the other party…”

Even a chairman gets deleted by people. Tan Xiangming wanted to gossip but suppressed her curiosity. Why did the profile Hao Liuhua had before switching look so familiar? She pondered while sending the friend request, even checking her own work account contacts. After two seconds, she reached the end—she remembered she had deleted everyone from the entertainment industry last week after returning home. Forget it. She put her head down and focused on eating.

Hao Liuhua stared at Tan Xiangming’s private WeChat for a moment before looking down to hide her smile. Tan Xiangming’s WeChat name was currently “Jasmine Green Tea.” It suited her perfectly. Cute.

Tan Xiangming indeed brought Hao Liuhua to the bridal home prepared by her family.

“We’re staying here from now on?” Hao Liuhua naturally took Tan Xiangming’s coat and bag, putting them where they belonged. She didn’t look like a pampered socialite; she looked like a hired butler. Her posture was even pitch-perfect.

Tan Xiangming observed from a corner, imagining Hao Liuhua in a tailcoat.

“What is it?” Hao Liuhua stepped toward her. After she turned around, Tan Xiangming could no longer see her as a butler. Her figure and temperament were different after all. When Hao Liuhua wasn’t smiling, she was more reserved and solemn than the grandest butler; though her lips naturally curved, the smile didn’t reach her eyes, commanding respect. She had the elegance of nobility, like a creature born of ancient art and literature—a vivid spirit.

“Nothing. My mother found three bridal homes; she said we can swap them if we’re not satisfied. We’ll stay here first.” Tan Xiangming thought for a split second about tricking Hao Liuhua into a butler uniform later, then took her hand and led her into the room.

Hao Liuhua’s gaze darkened. she slowed her pace slightly, following behind Tan Xiangming, careful not to show any flaw. The real butler had already cleared the homes last week. Upon hearing Tan Xiangming chose this one, they had it cleaned again today, stocking it with her favorite snacks, fruits, and home-cooking ingredients.

Tan Xiangming took Hao Liuhua on a brief tour of the first floor, feeling quite satisfied, before pulling her down onto the sofa. “Cooperate with me later. I have to call my family; they’ll definitely want to see you,” Tan Xiangming said, her elbow resting against Hao Liuhua. Her tone was half-threatening, but her cherry-pink cheeks were so cute Hao Liuhua wanted to surrender.

Tan Xiangming poked Hao Liuhua’s face, acting completely familiar as if she truly viewed her as her fiancée. Hao Liuhua’s eyes followed Tan Xiangming’s fingertips. The swirling light in her eyes made Tan Xiangming daze for a moment—pure and endearing.

Unable to restrain her expression, Hao Liuhua suddenly pinched Tan Xiangming’s sleeve. “Jasmine.”

“Hmm?” Tan Xiangming was about to call when she noticed her wrist was held. Was Hao Liuhua’s strength that weak? She sat down, almost pressed against Hao Liuhua, looking at her. The video call was already dialing.

“I have one last requirement.” Hao Liuhua’s gaze suddenly softened, a mist of tears appearing at the corners of her eyes. It looked as if Tan Xiangming was bullying her. Hao Liuhua’s fragrance wrapped softly around Tan Xiangming’s arm like something boneless.

A surge of heat followed—even someone as gentle and indifferent as Hao Liuhua had moments of blushing. She placed Tan Xiangming’s hand on her own collar.

Tan Xiangming noticed for the first time that Hao Liuhua’s shirt, which had been buttoned tightly to the neck earlier, was now somewhat loose. In that moment of shared breath, Hao Liuhua was positioned “below” her, buried in the shadows. Only the skin of her collarbone, partially hidden by her bow tie, was white enough to glow.

It was like a temptation. If Tan Xiangming moved just a little, the tie would loosen. Tan Xiangming would see. In that moment, she would truly desecrate this fiancée.

“You’ve already touched me, so… I hope our marriage is real.” She wanted to fight for it—after waiting so long, she didn’t want it to be just a business alliance.

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