Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 22

The comments section was filled with various opinions, but unusually, they weren’t mindlessly attacking Xu Zhen as before.

Scrolling through her phone, Xu Zhen noticed that everyone’s focus was on the love triangle between her, Jiang Ruan, and Xing Yan.

Few criticized Xing Yan for knowingly interfering, and even fewer condemned Jiang Ruan for her fickleness and lack of self-respect. Instead, most attention was directed at Xu Zhen, with people arrogantly speculating about why she hadn’t filed for divorce.

The same old narrative persisted: she was after money, power anything to paint Xu Zhen as a vain, gold-digging beta.

According to their logic, if Xu Zhen weren’t such a person, she should have decisively thrown divorce papers at Jiang Ruan and walked away with nothing the first time Jiang Ruan strayed.

Only then could she prove her innocence to others, including her own fans.

Assistant Lu couldn’t decipher the emotions hidden in the beta’s eyes, but that didn’t stop her from offering guidance like an elder. “Marriage is about two women living their lives behind closed doors. Most of the outsiders’ nonsense and meddling come with ulterior motives.”

“You don’t know their true intentions or whether they harbor malice. Some people can’t stand seeing others happy, so they scheme to drive a wedge between them, deriving both vengeful satisfaction and tangible benefits.”

“You’re smart. You won’t be easily swayed by outside noise, right?”

Assistant Lu’s voice was gentle and soft. Xu Zhen smiled at her in response. “Mm, I know right from wrong in my heart.”

“You’re a good kid.” Assistant Lu chuckled lightly before abruptly shifting the topic. “Until your contract with Jiahua officially expires, I’ll be accompanying you for the time being.”

“I’ll handle all the troubles around you, including work-related ones.”

Assistant Lu was highly competent, and with her around, Xu Zhen no longer needed to worry. She thanked her sincerely, but Assistant Lu tactfully replied, “If you want to thank anyone, thank President Jiang.”

“She’s been very busy lately, under tremendous pressure.”

Xu Zhen fell silent. Jiang Ruan never shared any negativity with her, so Xu Zhen was entirely unfamiliar with her work situation.

She couldn’t help but reflect had she paid too little attention to her partner?

It made her seem cold and indifferent.

Noticing Xu Zhen deep in thought, Assistant Lu wisely stayed quiet. Xu Zhen and Jiang Ruan were good people, well-matched. Even if there were misunderstandings now, they would surely resolve them in time.

The two interviews at noon went smoothly, with Xu Zhen handling them effortlessly.

After the interviews, it was time for guest appearances on a variety show and a TV drama.

The two locations were quite far apart. Following the schedule, Xu Zhen and Assistant Lu headed to the TV studio first. Since it was a talk show, the difficulty level wasn’t high.

After memorizing the script and flow, Xu Zhen answered the host’s questions with ease.

But just as the recording was about to wrap up, one of the alpha hosts suddenly went off-script and bluntly asked Xu Zhen, “President Jiang and Miss Xing have been very close lately. Does Miss Xing’s presence affect your relationship with President Jiang?”

The Alpha host spoke from a position of superiority, his words dripping with offense.

Dark cameras surrounded Xu Zhen from all angles, eager to capture any sign of her losing composure. Seeing the situation take a turn, Assistant Lu’s expression darkened, and she immediately stepped in to intervene.

Xu Zhen exhaled softly. “No.”

Her tone was firm. “I actually like Miss Xing quite a bit. She’s beautiful, principled, fair, and very charismatic.”

Without realizing it, Xu Zhen found herself speaking in Xing Yan’s defense. “So I believe in her.”

Xing Yan had bluntly called Tang Yehu “deserves it” for his childish tantrums, Xu Zhen didn’t think she was some scheming villain.

“As for the rumors online, my wife’s company’s legal team will handle them.” Xu Zhen wore a practiced smile. “Thanks for your concern.”

Her response was poised and flawless, leaving no room for criticism. Assistant Lu let out a quiet sigh of relief.

But one thing was separate from another. Once Xu Zhen stepped off the stage, Assistant Lu marched straight to the program’s producer, sternly demanding justice on Xu Zhen’s behalf.

The producer repeatedly apologized, but Assistant Lu refused to back down. Eventually, the matter even reached the higher-ups at the television station.

Thanks to Assistant Lu’s efforts, Xu Zhen secured a spot as a guest on the station’s flagship program. The schedule was entirely at Xu Zhen’s discretion they would accommodate all her requests unconditionally.

Assistant Lu was the first person to stand up for Xu Zhen’s career like this. Xu Zhen looked at her with admiration in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Just doing my job.”

“If President Jiang weren’t busy, she’d be the one doing this for you.”

Xu Zhen fell silent for a moment, forcing a faint smile. Sensing her reluctance to discuss Jiang Ruan, Assistant Lu didn’t press further and quietly led her to their final destination.

This time, Xu Zhen was making a cameo in a historical palace drama, playing the noble consort mother of the male lead.

Her role wasn’t extensive, once she filmed the drowning scene, she’d be done.

It was the transition between spring and summer, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. The lake water was still chilly. Assistant Lu suggested using a stunt double, but Xu Zhen politely declined.

She always performed her scenes herself, resorting to a double only under exceptional circumstances.

If not for this level of professionalism, Xu Zhen wouldn’t have risen so fiercely from among hundreds of millions of Betas, carving out her own place in an entertainment industry dominated by Alphas and Omegas.

Assistant Lu respected Xu Zhen’s decision and didn’t insist.

But to prepare for any emergencies, she stayed close by, remaining hyper-vigilant.

The entertainment industry wasn’t much different from the imperial harem, full of open hostility and underhanded tactics. Having spent years navigating corporate politics, Assistant Lu knew this all too well.

Xu Zhen had already finished makeup and began filming. Her scene partner kept messing up, delaying progress. From the whispers around her, Xu Zhen learned that the actor had been forced onto the production by investors and had a reputation for being difficult despite their lack of star power.

As the sky grew darker, Xu Zhen’s plans were disrupted, and her patience wore thin.

Amid the flurry of activity, the director finally slumped in exhaustion as the clock struck ten. “One last take, everyone give it your all!”

Xu Zhen still hadn’t filmed the drowning scene. Fortunately, this time, her scene partner finally delivered, and the shoot progressed smoothly.

One last scene. Xu Zhen set the script aside. Once the drowning was done, she could wrap up and return to the hotel to rest.

She stood up and walked over, effortlessly taking her position in front of the camera.

An unfamiliar extra quickly approached. Xu Zhen instinctively glanced at them and suddenly felt her hair stand on end, a wave of dangerous energy washed over her.

Xu Zhen kept a wary eye on the person. From an angle the camera couldn’t capture, the extra flashed a bright smile and said, “Why haven’t you divorced Jiang Ruan yet? If you did, Sister Ayan could be with him.”

“The one who isn’t loved is the real homewrecker. You knew he was taken but still pursued him, you deserve retribution.”

“Today, I’ll make sure Sister Ayan gets her justice!” As the words fell, a tremendous force slammed into Xu Zhen’s chest. In an instant, she was sent flying backward, crashing into the lake with a massive splash.

The moment the icy water enveloped her, Xu Zhenn heard Assistant Lu’s voice, thick with suppressed fury: “Get her out now! Or this entire production crew will pay for it!”

Support