Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 10

“I don’t need it.” Jiang Ruan opened her hazy eyes, trying to stop Xu Zhen. “Tell her to leave it at the door.”

Xu Zhen raised an eyebrow but didn’t comply. With her slender, fair arms, she pushed the Alpha away, straightened her clothes, and called out to Xu Tingyuan outside the door, “Put it on the floor. I’ll get it later.”

She then added, “Your sister-in-law lost control. You should leave.”

Xu Tingyuan pouted in dissatisfaction. What kind of person goes to someone else’s house just to act crazy?

Though she grumbled internally, to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, Xu Tingyuan quickly placed the takeout bag on the floor and hurried away. However, concerned about Xu Zhen, she stopped at the end of the hallway, peeking around the corner to watch from a distance.

Xu Zhen opened the door, bent down to pick up the bag, and as she straightened, her gaze unexpectedly met Xu Tingyuan’s.

Waving dismissively to signal that everything was fine, Xu Zhen turned and firmly closed the door behind her. She swiftly unpacked the bag, pulling out a syringe and suppressants. “You do it, or should I?”

Jiang Ruan pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’ll do it myself.”

It was clear nothing more would happen today, and Jiang Ruan quickly accepted reality. Taking the items from Xu Zhen, she skillfully rolled up her sleeve and injected herself.

Xu Zhen watched silently. When it was done, she asked teasingly, “One dose enough?”

She smirked. “What if it’s another defective product?”

The Beta was clearly provoking her on purpose, yet Jiang Ruan had no retort. Maintaining her usual cool demeanor, she replied calmly, “It’s enough.”

“If it doesn’t work, I’ll take a second dose.”

No one liked getting injections, and Jiang Ruan was no exception. Xu Zhen nodded, reluctantly letting it go.

By noon, Xu Susu had already started preparing lunch. Jiang Ruan didn’t bother fixing her disheveled clothes, deliberately flaunting her toned muscles to tempt Xu Zhen. “I told them we’d meet in the evening, but we usually gather earlier in the afternoon.”

The Alpha lifted her chin, her long neck leading to a sharp jawline and straight collarbones enough to stir the imagination. “We’ll leave after lunch.”

Xu Zhen had no objections.

Her gaze drifted lightly over the woman’s smooth, pale skin, feeling undeniably tempted.

Jiang Ruan’s appearance perfectly matched Xu Zhen’s tastes, and her feelings for Jiang Ruan were anything but ordinary. From their very first meeting, her heart had raced uncontrollably, an indescribable impulse surging through her veins.

Her affection for Jiang Ruan ran deeper and stronger than she had ever realized.

When Xu Zhen looked at Jiang Ruan, she found her long, straight hair fragrant, her thick lashes alluring, her dark eyes bright, and her full, rosy lips irresistibly soft.

She couldn’t help but want to get closer, to press against her skin, to indulge in more intimate acts.

Back when Bai Zhen had opposed their marriage, Xu Zhen had honestly shared her feelings, only to be met with the retort, “A dog gnawing on a bone naturally drawn to what’s tough.”

Xu Zhen had wanted to argue but found no words. In the end, she stayed silent.

There was some truth to Bai Zhen’s words. Xu Zhen’s family background was modest, and aside from her own minor fame and good looks, she had no competitive edge. But Jiang Ruan was different.

Beyond her personal merits, the prestige of the Jiang family cast an overwhelmingly bright halo around her.

To put it bluntly, if Jiang Ruan ever hinted at her intention to marry, 80% of the Omegas in the country would immediately start grooming themselves, hoping to secure even a sliver of opportunity.

This society is twisted and distorted, where everyone has been conditioned to believe that “Alphas are the strongest, the leaders of society, and the ultimate destiny for Omegas.” Under these circumstances, Alphas are highly sought-after commodities, no matter how irresponsible or incompetent they may be.

If an Omega were forced to choose between a promiscuous, unreliable Alpha and a loyal, dependable Beta, they would undoubtedly choose the former without hesitation.

Influenced by Bai Zhen’s upbringing, Xu Zhen couldn’t comprehend such behavior.

Just because someone is an Alpha, they can effortlessly obtain a beautiful, gentle, and virtuous spouse and be forgiven for any wrongdoing?

Just like her own biological father, who lived recklessly for most of his life before being mercilessly struck down by a drunk driver.

Lost in thought, Xu Zhen unconsciously let out a sigh. Jiang Ruan’s gaze immediately flickered toward her, tinged with faint curiosity.

Snapping back to reality, Xu Zhen excused herself to help Xu Susu prepare lunch, hastily giving Jiang Ruan a few instructions before practically fleeing the room. Her hurried steps made it seem as though she feared being devoured alive.

Jiang Ruan’s expression remained unchanged, her attention lingering even after the Beta had completely disappeared from sight.

Xu Susu had spent over a decade accustomed to caretaking, so the moment Xu Zhen stepped into the kitchen, she was promptly shooed away. “I’ve got this. You should spend more time with President Jiang.”

“You two are usually so busy now that you finally have a chance to meet…”

Xu Zhen softly interrupted her. “I’ll be with her all afternoon. There’s no rush.”

Xu Susu didn’t press further, allowing Xu Zhen to stay. Their relationship had eased considerably, though they rarely spoke privately.

Most of the time, Xu Susu acted as a maternal figure, fussing over Xu Zhen with warmth and concern.

Now, sensing Xu Zhen’s unease, Xu Susu steered the conversation toward Bai Zhen “Sister Zhen’s health has improved a lot lately. She’s even able to get out of bed occasionally now.”

Xu Zhen perked up. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Xu Susu replied with a smile. “But she’s always afraid of troubling me, so she refuses to move around much. You should find time to talk some sense into her.”

“If she hadn’t kindly taken me in back then, I don’t know where I’d be now, wandering alone with Ting Yuan. A woman like me has no real survival skills, and with my reproductive value, who knows when some man might drag me off to become his slave?” Xu Susu’s voice was always gentle, soothing to the ears. “So I’ll always remember Sister Zhen’s kindness. Even if I have to serve her in my next life, I’d do it willingly.”

Xu Zhen’s emotions were complicated. Bai Zhen was a good person, and so was Xu Susu. Two unfortunate souls had found each other, clinging together through hardship until today.

“Thank you,” Xu Zhen murmured, lowering her eyes. “You’ve given so much for us.”

Not wanting to dwell on such heavy topics, Xu Zhen shifted the conversation. “Don’t hold back on the allowance I give you both. Spend it as you need.”

“I know,” Xu Susu nodded with a smile. “But earning money isn’t easy for you either, so every penny you give me must be spent wisely.”

Xu Susu always considered others first. Xu Zhen gazed at the few white hairs that had appeared at her temples and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, feeling a pang in his heart. This gentle and virtuous Beta had silently devoted her entire life to their family.

With deft hands, Xu Susu quickly prepared meals for five people.

Bai Zhen had just eaten and wasn’t hungry, so she set aside a small portion in the food warmer for Bai Zhen to have whenever hunger struck.

After receiving her inhibitor injection and resting, Jiang Ruan’s condition had improved significantly, though Xu Tingyuan still harbored strong resentment toward her due to the rumors involving Xing Yan.

At the dinner table, Xu Tingyuan kept shooting dagger-like glances at Jiang Ruan, barely concealing her displeasure.

Xu Susu tried to intervene but to no avail, eventually letting it go.

Xu Zhen felt completely at ease in her own home, even managing to eat an extra half bowl of rice. After the meal, Jiang Ruan urged her to put away the ruby and diamond jewelry set before driving her directly to the prearranged meeting spot with friends.

By around two in the afternoon when Jiang Ruan and Xu Zhen arrived, everyone else was already there.

Xu Zhen discreetly observed the group, all of whom had attended the wedding, so she recognized them somewhat.

One was an elegant and flirtatious wealthy woman, rumored to have a never-ending stream of Omega companions. Another was a sweet, young, and innocent girl who often considered and cared for Xu Zhen’s feelings. Two others remained indifferent, having only offered wedding congratulations.

Then Xu Zhen’s gaze settled on the Omega seated at the piano.

Xing Yan hadn’t attended Xu Zhen’s wedding, so she had only seen her in recent news coverage.

In an era where beauty equates to virtue, Xing Yan’s photos had instantly garnered her numerous fans upon release, with some even forming a fan club in her honor.

Unlike typical Omegas, Xing Yan had delicate, petite features with soft contours that weren’t aggressive, yet her expression was icy cold.

The frigid aura emanating from her very bones could easily freeze anyone who dared approach.

Xu Zhen blinked lightly, her attention quickly drawn to Xing Yan’s voluminous, silky long hair. As the Omega suddenly stood, her seaweed-like locks swayed subtly, resembling a mermaid leaping from the sparkling sea surface ethereally beautiful beyond compare.

Xing Yan merely gave Jiang Ruan a slight nod in greeting, completely ignoring Xu Zhen.

The sweet young girl Zhenzhen awkwardly stood up to explain, “She’s in a bad mood today, Sister Zhen, please don’t take it personally. Also, A-Yan is a bit shy around new people, so…”

“It’s fine,” Xu Zhen didn’t want to put Zhenzhen in a difficult position or make the atmosphere any more awkward. She shook her head and exchanged a few pleasantries to smoothly move past it.

After sitting down with Jiang Ruan, Xu Zhen found her gaze unconsciously following Xing Yan.

The Omega sat quietly in the corner, aloof and detached from the world. She wore a full Chanel haute couture ensemble, her slender calves peeking from beneath the skirt appearing as though they’d never walked a step.

As she observed, Xu Zhen suddenly noticed the delicate, blistered heels from the Omega’s high heels.

She hesitated for a moment before pulling out a band-aid from her bag and walking toward the other person. “You’re hurt.”

Upon hearing this, Xing Yan coldly lifted her eyelids, the black anti-bite collar strikingly visible against her snow-white neck. “Not needed.” The Omega’s tone was far from friendly, even prickly. “Go away.”

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