Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 14

Xu Zhen tilted her head slightly. “I don’t know.”

Her reply was quick and straightforward. The wealthy woman raised an eyebrow, a look of realization dawning on her face. “Then I must have spoken out of turn.”

Xu Zhen neither confirmed nor denied it.

The wealthy woman had brought this up suddenly and deliberately, leading Xu Zhen to suspect she might be standing up for Xing Yan. From the other woman’s perspective, Jiang Ruan and Xing Yan were childhood sweethearts, the perfect match.

Having known each other for years, they were now adults and had even differentiated into the most compatible Alpha-Omega pair destined to be together. Yet, out of nowhere, Xu Zhen, a Beta, had swooped in and ruined everything.

If Xu Zhen were in her shoes, she’d probably feel just as indignant for Xing Yan.

Understanding the sentiment, Xu Zhen calmly responded, “When they completed their differentiation, why didn’t their families arrange an engagement right away?”

Had they been engaged, Xu Zhen wouldn’t have been involved at all.

The wealthy woman gave her a meaningful look, though it was unclear whether she took Xu Zhen’s question as a provocation. “They were only eighteen at the time. An engagement would’ve been too soon.”

Besides, no one had expected Xing Yan to be swiftly sent abroad by her family, separating her from her friends and making even meeting up difficult.

The wealthy woman had a point. Wanting to uncover more, Xu Zhen seized the opportunity to ask directly, “Was there love between Miss Xing and Jiang Ruan?”

“I don’t know.” The woman seemed taken aback by her bluntness, caught off guard. “You’d have to ask the people involved.”

Busy indulging with Omegas most of the time, the wealthy woman had only heard bits and pieces about Jiang Ruan and Xing Yan. Beyond that, like Xu Zhen, she was relying on hearsay.

When Sister Zhenzhen returned after picking the next song, she noticed Xu Zhen’s expression had darkened. Quickly pushing the wealthy woman aside, she whispered urgently, “You didn’t say anything you shouldn’t have, did you?”

“What’s considered ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’?” The wealthy woman blinked innocently at Sister Zhenzhen. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”

Sister Zhenzhen’s face twisted in exasperation. “Don’t bring up anything about A-Yan and Jiang Ruan’s past with her.”

“If you really can’t find anything to talk about with her, just stay away.”

The wealthy woman smirked lazily. “Already getting tired of me?”

Sister Zhenzhen glared at her, puffing up in frustration. “I’m serious. The situation is complicated, and I can’t explain it all right now. Just do me a favor and keep your distance, okay?”

“As for the truth, you’ll find out eventually.”

Half-threatening, half-cajoling, Sister Zhenzhen finally got the wealthy woman to nod in agreement.

Xu Zhen watched them quietly, her confusion deepening. Without a word, she averted her gaze and reached for a drink on the table, pretending nothing had happened.

Sister Zhenzhen studied her carefully, relieved to see her demeanor had returned to normal.

The rest of the gathering went much more smoothly and pleasantly. Xu Zhen began warming up to everyone except the wealthy woman and Xing Yan. Later, Sister Zhenzhen even pulled Xu Zhen and two other Alphas into a mahjong game that lasted well into the evening.

At dinner, Jiang Ruan approached and stopped the four of them. “Time to eat.”

Xu Zhen was reluctant to leave the game but perked up when Jiang Ruan added, “After dinner, you’re coming with me to the old house.”

The old mansion? The corners of Xu Zhen’s lips, which had been lifted in triumph, instantly fell back down. Having had unpleasant experiences there before, Xu Zhen had no desire to return unless absolutely necessary. “What’s the matter?”

“Mom and the others are back. We’re having a family gathering.”

Jiang Ruan’s mother, Qin Liaoxing, was an utterly hopeless romantic, an Alpha with her head perpetually in the clouds. Her grandmother, Pu Shuangquan, was the quintessential iron lady sharp, shrewd, and strategic. In just two decades, she single-handedly revived their declining family’s fortunes, propelling them back into the ranks of the nation’s elite super families.

Pu Shuangquan had sacrificed much to elevate the family’s status. The family was her life’s work, and to ensure her daughter Qin Liaoxing could take over seamlessly, she poured immense effort into grooming her.

Nothing was spared every luxury, every experience money could buy was lavished upon Qin Liaoxing. And Qin Liaoxing lived up to expectations, flourishing under her mother’s guidance.

But fate had other plans. On Pu Shuangquan’s fiftieth birthday, Qin Liaoxing fell head over heels for a part-time worker at the hotel love at first sight, utterly beyond reason.

To be with this person, Qin Liaoxing began defying her mother, even willing to renounce her inheritance.

Like Xu Zhen, the part-timer was an utterly ordinary Beta. Their background was dismal mother dead, father a drunkard, three younger siblings to feed, with nothing to recommend them but a pretty face.

Even an average family might balk at such a Beta’s circumstances, let alone a strict mother like Pu Shuangquan, who had such high hopes for her daughter.

So Pu Shuangquan opposed it vehemently. She declared that if Qin Liaoxing insisted on this path, she would disown her immediately and cut off all financial support.

Pu Shuangquan meant it as a scare tactic, hoping her daughter would see sense and turn back. But who knew Qin Liaoxing was a hidden romantic at heart? Without a second thought, she packed her bags and left home, chasing after love.

Xu Zhen still remembered Jiang Ruan’s exact words: “Grandma said after Mom left that day, the house suddenly felt half empty. Anyone who didn’t know better would’ve thought we’d been robbed.”

Morality and humor warred within her, and she had to bite her lip hard to keep from laughing.

Thanks to that half of the family fortune, Qin Liaoxing and the Beta had lived comfortably over the years. Moreover, the Beta was kind-hearted, hardworking, and diligent studying while working part-time, eventually getting into a prestigious university and landing a decent, well-paying job after graduation.

Pu Shuangquan was furious about her daughter’s betrayal. That anger simmered for years, never fading.

So when Jiang Ruan later brought Xu Zhen home without a word, the old lady nearly fainted on the spot.

A lovestruck mother, a lovestruck daughter like crooked timber yielding crooked wood, neither was any good. That tiny bit of flawed genetics had all gone to Jiang Ruan.

Fortunately, compared to Qin Liaoxing, Jiang Ruan was far more sensible.

Combining the best traits of both Qin Liaoxing and the Beta, Jiang Ruan was a model heir. Unlike her mother’s capriciousness, she was disciplined and principled, flawlessly executing every task Pu Shuangquan assigned.

Except for that secret elopement and marriage registration with Xu Zhen.

Perhaps it was the comparison, or perhaps it was the precedent set by Qin Liaoxing abandoning his responsibilities, but in any case, although Pu Shuangquan was dissatisfied with Xu Zhen, she didn’t dare to go too far.

Push any harder, and even Jiang Ruan, the heir, might elope for love.

Even so, the old lady would still give Xu Zhen the cold shoulder whenever they met, never showing any warmth. Of course, the old lady treated her own daughter and son-in-law the same way, so Xu Zhen didn’t take it to heart.

When everyone is treated equally, the heart finds balance.

“Alright,” Xu Zhen agreed.

Both mothers-in-law had been quite kind to Xu Zhen, often showing concern and buying her gifts. Out of courtesy, it was only right for Xu Zhen to pay them a visit.

Jiang Ruan let out a sigh of relief and added, “Ayan’s parents happen to be there too, so she’ll be coming back with us later.”

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