Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 25

“I don’t think so.” Xu Zhen met Xing Yan’s blazingly beautiful eyes, his tone steady. “I also believe the person from last night had nothing to do with you.”

The Beta spoke with certainty, his expression earnest. For a moment, the anger on Xing Yan’s face froze.

She stared at Xu Zhen in surprise, the sharp edges she had displayed withering away in an instant, drooping harmlessly, as lost and powerless as their owner.

Xu Zhen observed her expression. “We’ve never had any enmity between us. It’s not like we’re at a life-or-death stage yet.”

“Hmph.” Xing Yan snapped back to herself and let out a cold laugh. “Now I see why you’ve managed to bewitch A-Ruan so thoroughly. You do have some skills.”

With her suspicion cleared, Xing Yan turned away with a mocking smile. “Satisfied? Do you still want an apology from me?”

Her relationship with Jiang Ruan had grown distant, no longer as close as it had been in their childhood. Now, with Jiang Ruan causing such a scene today, Xing Yan felt a surge of fury with nowhere to direct it.

“If you don’t trust me, at least trust her, don’t you?”

Jiang Ruan wasn’t being unreasonable she was simply blinded by concern. The thought that Xu Zhen could have died last night from hypothermia or exposure if she hadn’t arrived in time made her chest tighten painfully, as if she couldn’t breathe.

“I’m sorry.” Jiang Ruan wasn’t the arrogant type of Alpha. She lowered her head slightly and apologized sincerely. “I misunderstood you.”

The derisive look on Xing Yan’s face didn’t fade. “I don’t want there to be a next time.”

“Even if I don’t like her, I wouldn’t go so far as to kill her.” Xing Yan stepped closer to Jiang Ruan. “I thought you knew that much.”

Jiang Ruan didn’t respond. Though she was taller than Xing Yan, she inexplicably seemed docile in her presence. She didn’t argue, standing silently with her head bowed.

Faced with this silent Alpha, Xing Yan suddenly lost interest in pressing for fairness or the truth.

She glanced indifferently at Xu Zhen before shoving past Jiang Ruan, storming off just as aggressively as she had arrived.

Zhao Jue, having steadied herself, returned to Xu Zhen’s side and couldn’t help but complain, “What’s her problem? Resorting to violence at the drop of a hat?”

“She looks so delicate and harmless, an Omega, no less so how is she so strong? If she’d used a bit more force, my front teeth would’ve been knocked out!”

Xu Zhen glanced at her. “She’s that strong?”

“Yeah, terrifyingly so!” Zhao Jue rubbed her still-aching shoulder. “Never judge a book by its cover. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t experienced it myself. Zhenzhen, you’d better be careful around her.”

“Even if she wasn’t behind this incident, who’s to say about next time? Better safe than sorry.”

“If she really wanted to hurt you.”

Zhao Jue genuinely cared for Xu Zhen, and while he appreciated her concern, hearing her baseless suspicions about Xing Yan made his heart ache for the latter. “Alright, I’m not an idiot.”

He cut her off. “Let’s drop it.”

Zhao Jue still had more to say, but noticing the shift in Xu Zhen’s gaze, she instinctively glanced back at Jiang Ruan. “Fine.”

Xing Yan was, after all, Jiang Ruan’s rumored love interest. Even if not, they were long-time friends. Speaking ill of Xing Yan right in front of Jiang Ruan like this might provoke a sudden attack from Jiang Ruan someday, just like Xing Yan had done delivering a harsh blow.

Her frail body couldn’t withstand that.

Jiang Ruan walked straight past Zhao Jue and stopped by Xu Zhen’s hospital bed. “Are you feeling any discomfort elsewhere? I can call the doctor to check on you.”

“No, I’m fine.” Xu Zhen declined the offer and asked, “Did the news of my accident spread widely?”

“I’ve already informed your mother and the others about your condition, so don’t worry. Earlier, Tingyuan insisted on coming, but I didn’t allow it and kept her at home.”

Jiang Ruan explained, “The hospital is surrounded by reporters right now. It’s not a good time for her to appear in public.”

Xu Zhen knew how relentless reporters could be. She nodded slightly and said, “Thanks. I should call Mom and the others to reassure them.”

Bai Zhen wasn’t very mobile, but she was adept with her phone. Last night, when she saw all those dubious reports online, she must have been frantic with worry.

Jiang Ruan gave a quiet hum before turning to pour Xu Zhen a cup of hot water.

Zhao Jue scratched his head. “Well, Zhen Zhen, I’ll come see you another day. I need to go home and change the baby’s diaper.”

Xu Zhen bid her farewell with mixed feelings. “See you next time.”

After Zhao Jue left, Xu Zhen picked up her phone and briefly updated Bai Zhen and Xu Susu on the situation. As expected, Bai Zhen scolded her thoroughly.

Bai Zhen had a quick temper, she might berate her child, but she also ached with worry for her daughter.

She sighed softly into the phone. “I’ve been a burden to you.”

If not for needing treatment for her illness, Xu Zhen wouldn’t have had to enter the entertainment industry at such a young age, enduring so much hardship. Bai Zhen’s eyes reddened as she once again despised her own helplessness.

“Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? Just your existence alone is my greatest source of strength.”

“Wherever you are, that’s my home. You’re the only family I have left in this world.” Remembering Xu Susu’s earlier words, Xu Zhen added, “So you have to focus on recovering, on standing up from that bed. Then I can take you traveling, making up for all the mother-daughter moments we’ve missed.”

“And we’ll bring Aunt Xu and Tingyuan along the whole family, together.”

Because of her severe cold, Xu Zhen’s voice was hoarse, not as pleasant as usual, but Bai Zhen couldn’t help chuckling. “Got it.”

“Just rest and recover in the hospital. Don’t waste your energy chatting with me.”

“Your voice is so raspy, it sounds like a duck’s. I can barely understand you.”

Xu Zhen fell silent for a moment before finally relenting. “Alright.”

After the call ended, Xu Zhen also checked in with Qin Liaoxing and Lan Boyue to let them know she was safe. Once she had contacted everyone she needed to, Jiang Ruan handed her the cup of warm water at just the right moment. “For your throat.”

Xu Zhen didn’t refuse. After talking so much, she was indeed thirsty.

Jiang Ruan watched the beta quietly, emotions swirling in her eyes. Xu Zhen looked up, puzzled, but the Alpha quickly averted her gaze. “Need more?”

“That’s enough.” Xu Zhen coughed lightly, and Jiang Ruan immediately raised a hand, intending to pat her back to help her breathe easier but Xu Zhen instinctively flinched away.

Jiang Ruan’s hand froze mid-air.

Xu Zhen’s pupils trembled slightly. After a moment of tense silence, she forced herself to speak calmly, “That’s not what I meant.”

“Don’t overthink it.”

Jiang Ruan remained silent at first. After a pause, she slowly lowered her stiffened hand, her eyes filled with hurt as they fixed unwaveringly on Xu Zhen. “You just avoided me.”

“You don’t love me anymore, do you?”

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