Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 11

Their conversation was hushed, and coincidentally, Jiang Ruan had her back turned to them as she spoke with a wealthy lady, so she didn’t immediately notice the tension in the corner.

Zhenzhen, however, noticed. She quickly stood up, intending to mediate, but was stopped by Xing Yan’s warning glare.

Xing Yan was stubborn her childhood friends knew this better than anyone. If Xing Yan didn’t want them interfering, it was best not to defy her wishes.

With a worried frown, Zhenzhenn sat back down.

Xu Zhen’s goodwill was rejected, so she withdrew the bandage she had offered. “You like Jiang Ruan?”

“None of your business.” Xing Yan’s hostility was half-genuine, half-feigned. “This is a private matter between me and Ruan.” She deliberately paused for half a beat. “I have no obligation to explain it to you.”

Their words clashed, making further conversation impossible, so Xu Zhen gave up on pleasantries.

She turned away, noticing Jiang Ruan engrossed in conversation with others, and was about to take a seat beside Zhenzhen when Xing Yan called out, “What trick did you use to marry Ruan?”

Xing Yan’s eyes held genuine confusion. “Ruan is as dense as a block of wood, when girls confessed to her before, she rejected them without a second thought.”

“Every single time,” the Omega emphasized.

“So…” Xing Yan’s gaze sharpened as she scrutinized Xu Zhen. “Your methods must be impressive.”

Xing Yan spoke with a natural arrogance, which didn’t surprise Xu Zhen. It wasn’t just Xing Yan other Alphas and Omegas often wore the same haughty expression when speaking to Betas, as if Betas were some inferior, shameful species.

Xing Yan was hostile, every word a provocation, yet strangely, Xu Zhen didn’t feel particularly offended,which was odd.

Xu Zhen turned slightly toward Xing Yan, her expression unreadable. “You should ask her that question.” She studied the Omega’s jade-white face, as pure as a magnolia blossom. “She’ll give you the answer.”

If asking Jiang Ruan would yield answers, Xing Yan wouldn’t have needed to speak up today.

The corner of her lips curled into a smile, though neither her face nor her eyes held any warmth. “Oh? You want to watch me get rejected by her?”

“You misunderstand.” Xu Zhen realized this Omega was sensitive, overthinking, and insecure no different from others.

She slowly lowered her lashes, brows furrowing in confusion.

The Xing family was obscenely wealthy, so as the eldest daughter, Xing Yan should have been confident, radiant, and full of vigor. Before meeting her today, Xu Zhen had assumed Xing Yan would be spoiled, willful, and unrestrained.

But reality was the complete opposite.

For a fleeting moment, Xu Zhen’s thoughts wandered. Meanwhile, Xing Yan subtly scrutinized her from head to toe, her inner thoughts remaining a mystery.

Just as the rumors said, Xu Zhen was even more stunning in person than on screen.

Unlike the delicate beauty of Omegas, Xu Zhen was dazzling impossible to ignore.

Xu Zhen was tall with excellent proportions, and her well-balanced bone structure alone allowed her to dominate most Omegas just by her height. Today, she wore her hair in a sleek “high ponytail” style simple, neat, and exuding a heroic charm accentuating the mesmerizing features that seemed meticulously crafted by the gods.

Standing out among billions of Betas and maintaining her fame for years, Xu Zhen indeed had her extraordinary qualities.

Her appearance alone could make many willingly sacrifice everything for her.

Xing Yan had a preliminary answer in mind, but it wasn’t enough. Jiang Ruan wasn’t the type to be swayed by beauty. Xu Zhen’s looks alone weren’t enough to make Jiang Ruan fall head over heels and impulsively rush into marriage.

The Omega kept staring at Xu Zhen, her gaze probing and intense, making Xu Zhen feel uneasy.

So, she turned her head away, only to lock eyes with Jiang Ruan instead.

Jiang Ruan stood up and walked over.

“Go find Zhenzhen first. I need to talk to A-Yan for a moment.” Sensing the unusual tension between Xu Zhen and Xing Yan, Jiang Ruan softened her tone as she spoke to Xu Zhen.

Xu Zhen nodded. Xing Yan clearly disliked her and was hostile staying longer would serve no purpose.

Without hesitation, she stood up, and Zhenzhen quickly approached. “Sister Zhen, let’s sit over there.”

Pointing to the spacious terrace ahead, Zhenzhen chirped, “The purple tulips there are really pretty. I’ll order some drinks and pastries, and we can take photos together.”

Zhenzhen was lively and talkative. “Ever since I saw you at the wedding three years ago, I’ve always wanted a photo with you, Sister Zhen.” She added shyly, “But we weren’t close back then, so I didn’t dare ask, I was afraid you’d feel uncomfortable.”

“Can I take a photo with you today?” Zhenzhen’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Xu Zhen agreed, and Zhenzhen was overjoyed, bustling around like a little top pulling out a chair for Xu Zhen, wiping the table clean with a tissue, and even carefully placing the drink in front of her later, wiping away the condensation on the glass.

While Zhenzhen fussed over her, Xu Zhen turned her gaze toward Jiang Ruan and Xing Yan.

Xing Yan’s expression remained unchanged, cold as an eternal glacier, even when facing Jiang Ruan.

“Actually, A-Yan is a really good person,” Zhenzhen explained cautiously, watching Xu Zhen’s reaction. “She’s incredibly loyal. If any of us ask her for help, she never hesitates or refuses.”

“Of course, Sister Zhen, you’re also a great person.”

“Earlier, you noticed the cut on her heel right away and gave her a bandage. She’ll remember your kindness.” Zhenzhen sounded a little embarrassed.

The group of childhood friends had been with Xing Yan for nearly half an hour, yet none of them had noticed the injury on her foot.

Xing Yan was stubborn and endured silently, she rarely voiced discomfort or pain to avoid worrying others.

In Zhenzhen’s eyes, Xing Yan was strong, warm-hearted, and kind, but she always kept people at a distance.

No matter how close they were, there was always a hazy veil between them, making it impossible to truly reach her heart.

“Thank you.” Xu Zhen didn’t know Xing Yan well, so she naturally took Zhenzhen’s words as mere comfort.

Xing Yan’s hostility was real, and her arrogant attitude was genuine. Because of Jiang Ruan, Xu Zhen felt it was unlikely she’d ever get along peacefully with her. Of course, she wouldn’t go out of her way to provoke anything.

By now, Jiang Ruan had already bent down to sit beside Xing Yan, her long legs particularly striking.

Xing Yan’s expression remained indifferent at first, but after Jiang Ruan whispered something to her, a faint smile soon appeared on her face.

When an Omega smiled, it was breathtaking like the melting of snow on tree branches, revealing pristine white pear blossoms beneath, flawless and exuding the fresh fragrance of spring.

Xing Yan seemed far more pleasant when she wasn’t so cold.

Just as Xu Zhen was silently reflecting on this, Xing Yan suddenly looked her way. Jiang Ruan, busy carving a rabbit-shaped apple for Xing Yan, didn’t notice the gesture.

The Omega gazed at Xu Zhen with a playful smile, her brows slightly raised. From across the distance, it felt like a taunt or perhaps a challenge.

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