Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 19

Xu Tingyuan couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Sis, where am I supposed to find someone as amazing as my sister-in-law? Do you think someone like her grows on trees? Cheap and plentiful?”

Though Jiang Ruan had gained a somewhat questionable reputation due to her rumored affair with Xing Yan, her other qualities were outstanding and unmatched. How many people in this world could compare to Jiang Ruan?

Whether it was family background, social status, or personal ability, few could measure up.

“Given your intelligence, I wouldn’t have expected this from you,” Xu Zhen blinked innocently, her gaze fixed on Xu Tingyuan.

It took Xu Tingyuan a moment to realize what Xu Zhen was really implying—since you can’t find someone like that, stop dreaming and focus on studying hard to get into a good university.

She scratched her fingers awkwardly, at a loss for words. “…Got it.”

Xu Tingyuan had always been obedient, so Xu Zhen wasn’t worried she’d rebel. She patted her head approvingly. “Alright, go rest.”

“Once you finish your college entrance exams, you can juggle eight relationships at once for all I care.”

Xu Tingyuan: “?” Do adults really play that wild?

After seeing Xu Tingyuan to her room, Xu Zhen prepared to retire for the night. Jiang Ruan, who had been silently trailing them, stepped forward. “It’s time for my suppressant shot.”

“Help me.”

Xu Zhen reflexively wanted to snap back, but seeing Jiang Ruan drop her usual aloofness her eyes even looking a little pitiful—she hesitated before nodding. “Fine.”

It was just a quick injection, after all. It wouldn’t take much time.

Jiang Ruan exhaled quietly in relief. Confirming that Xu Zhen’s mood hadn’t been too affected by Tang Yehe, she crept closer like a stealthy cat.

She didn’t say anything, just reached for Xu Zhen’s hand, gently enveloping her fist with her own larger palm.

An Alpha in heat released more pheromones, and even Xu Zhen, who was usually indifferent to them, found the overwhelming scent hard to bear.

Xu Zhen turned her head. “What’s wrong with you this time?”

Jiang Ruan’s gaze flickered toward her. “I missed you.”

It had been a long time since they’d been intimate. Ever since Xing Yan returned to the country, Xu Zhen had been in a mood. So whenever Jiang Ruan asked, she refused without hesitation not once giving in.

By now, it had been quite a while.

But Xu Zhen wasn’t like Xu Tingyuan, a naive girl who’d soften at her partner’s pitiful words. She eyed Jiang Ruan coldly before finally letting out a mocking remark. “Then how did you manage before marriage?”

Pre- and post-marriage were entirely different matters—something Jiang Ruan only dared think to herself.

Before, she had never indulged in physical pleasures, believing such things led to moral decay. She avoided them entirely—until Xu Zhen appeared.

At their first meeting, the cells and pheromones in her Alpha body stirred restlessly, drawn to Xu Zhen with an almost maddening intensity. For the first time, Jiang Ruan felt something beyond her control.

In that moment, instinct overpowered reason and emotion, driving her forward like a moth to flame—even if it meant her own destruction.

Jiang Ruan struggled to put this feeling into words.

Logically speaking, what should have held a fatal attraction for her were Omegas and their pheromones. But Xu Zhen’s presence shattered her conventional understanding.

There could actually be someone in this world, more intoxicating than an Omega, more irresistible.

Jiang Ruan’s movements were stealthy yet heavy with intent, yet her expression remained perfectly composed, devoid of any trace of vulgarity or greasiness. Xu Zhen glanced at their entwined hands and, in the end, didn’t pull away.

An Alpha’s palm was warm, smooth, and pleasant to the touch.

Once, this hand had been something Xu Zhen adored endlessly, she would gaze at it over and over, never tiring of it. But now, with their skin touching again, she felt none of the former fluttering heartbeat or excitement.

Before the suppressants could be delivered, Xu Zhen went to wash up first.

Tonight, she would have to share a bed with Jiang Ruan.

After all, they were in the old family home. It wouldn’t do to make things too tense with Jiang Ruan causing a scene was a minor concern, but worrying Qin Liaoxing and Lan Boyue was a bigger issue. Both of them had been very kind to Xu Zhen, so until she and Jiang Ruan settled their mess, she didn’t want to trouble them.

Whether marrying a man or a woman, one still had to handle in-law relationships properly.

By the time Xu Zhen finished washing up, Jiang Ruan’s suppressants had arrived. Tying up her freshly dried long hair, Xu Zhen now familiar with the routine, efficiently helped Jiang Ruan administer the injection again.

Jiang Ruan sat quietly in the chair, unmoving.

As her wife drew near, a faint, elusive fragrance suddenly struck her senses, lingering in her mind, refusing to dissipate.

Stimulated by the hot water, Xu Zhen’s skin now carried a soft, pearly pink hue. Her originally fair cheeks were tinged with a sunset-like radiance, making her dark eyes gleam brilliantly, mesmerizingly bright.

Xu Zhen was beautiful, even if her online haters refused to admit it.

This kind of beauty was soul-stealing, especially now when she was clad only in sleepwear.

Two pale, slender legs abruptly leapt into view long, delicate, with smooth, graceful curves, worthy of an exorbitant insurance policy.

Jiang Ruan hastily averted her gaze. This kind of temptation was enough to shatter her usual restraint, leaving her defenseless against the pull of instinct.

The Alpha’s breathing suddenly grew heavier, more ragged. Xu Zhen paused mid-motion, then pulled Jiang Ruan’s clothes back up with a flick of her hand. “Done.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Ruan didn’t look at Xu Zhen again. She stood up and fled into the bathroom. Though her steps were steady, her retreating figure still carried a hint of disarray.

Xu Zhen narrowed her eyes, then let out an ambiguous chuckle.

Once the door was closed, Jiang Ruan wiped her face. Repeated failures in seeking affection—it was impossible not to feel disheartened. But alongside the frustration, longing grew even stronger, haunting her thoughts.

On one side, there was physical desire; on the other, personal rationality. The two forces waged war within her, pulling her apart, tormenting her endlessly.

Soon, the sound of running water filled the bathroom, drowning out everything inside.

Xu Zhen climbed into bed, settling into a comfortable position before picking up her phone. Tomorrow was the final day of the three-day deadline Liu Lei had given. There was no doubt their negotiations would collapse.

Given Liu Lei and Jiahua’s pettiness, the situation Xu Zhen was about to face would be dire.

Jiahua would most likely pile an overwhelming amount of work on Xu Zhen, forcing her to work non-stop 24/7 until she couldn’t take it anymore and surrendered, allowing Jiahua to squeeze out one last hefty profit.

Xu Zhen couldn’t refuse the company’s arrangements doing so would mean breaching her contract and owing them a massive penalty.

She couldn’t give them any excuse to exploit her further.

Xu Zhen was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice Jiang Ruan approaching until he was right in front of her.

He seemed much more composed now… No, the moment Xu Zhen met the Alpha’s intense gaze, a shiver ran down her spine.

Jiang Ruan was like a confident predator, a leopard poised for the kill, watching her from above as if ready to strike at any moment.

Xu Zhen instantly tensed up, but then, Jiang Ruan slowly sat down across from her, his voice carrying a vulnerability she had never heard before.

“I want to kiss you.”

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