Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 27.2

“…Alright.” Jiang Ruan didn’t insist further. As she turned away, her retreating figure carried an indescribable loneliness.

Xu Zhen glanced at the Alpha’s lowered head and slumped shoulders, feeling a faint pang of guilt. But soon, her attention was drawn away by Xu Tingyuan.

“Sis, just wait a few more years for me,” the girl said earnestly. “Once I start working, I’ll earn money to take care of you.”

Xu Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. “Good. At least all those holiday red packets I’ve been showering you with weren’t wasted.”

Xu Tingyuan flushed slightly at the remark. Xu Zhen had always been generous with her family whether it was Xu Susu or herself, they often received transfers and red packets from her.

Raised under Xu Susu’s strict guidance, Xu Tingyuan had developed frugal habits. Over the years, she had managed to save up a small fortune eight figures, to be exact.

A bona fide little heiress.

But she had no intention of spending that money. Instead, she planned to keep it aside for Xu Zhen, waiting for the right moment to return it.

“Sis, are you feeling okay anywhere else? You’re not going back to work after just a couple of days of rest, are you?” Xu Tingyuan pressed, her small face scrunched in worry. “I know you’re strong, but you have to be careful when filming from now on.”

She hesitated before continuing, “At first, I thought you could just let stunt doubles handle the dangerous scenes… but then I realized they’re people too. Their lives matter just as much.”

“And most of them are betas, just like us, ignored and looked down upon by society. If even someone as famous as you faces unfair treatment, imagine how much worse it is for them.”

“I hate this world,” Xu Tingyuan muttered. “This world where Alphas and Omegas will always be seen as superior to betas.”

For someone so young, she certainly had a lot on her mind. Xu Zhen patted her head gently. “Don’t overthink it. Just focus on what you need to do. Right now, your priority is getting into a good university.”

“I know,” Xu Tingyuan smiled, nodding solemnly. “I’ll work hard.”

Silently, she also swore to herself, she would do everything in her power to change this world. At the very least… she would make sure betas were no longer overlooked and dismissed.

The two sisters naturally had endless topics to talk about. Xu Tingyuan rarely got to spend this much time with Xu Zhen, so she cherished every moment.

But soon, this rare peace was abruptly shattered by the unexpected arrival of Tang Yehe.

Carrying bags of gifts, flanked by two bodyguards, Tang Yehe pushed the door open with her usual air of superiority yet her tone was oddly familiar. “Sis, I came to visit you!”

“Sis?” Xu Tingyuan’s eyes immediately sharpened with hostility. “Who are you calling ‘sis’? Who’s your sister?”

“A weasel paying respects to a chicken clearly up to no good.”

“YuanYuan, you’re too biased against me,” Tang Yehe said, feigning hurt. “I’m really not here to cause trouble this time.”

“I was so worried when I heard you went missing after falling into the water that I immediately sent people to help search. Yes, I know I was immature before, I bullied you several times. But I’ve realized my mistakes.”

She lifted the gifts in her hands. “That’s why I came to apologize properly, didn’t I?”

With that, Tang Yehe quickly approached Xu Zhen, her face full of sincerity. “Sister, I was young and foolish before when I offended you. I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive me this once after all, great minds think alike.”

“I promise you, I’ll never do it again.”

Xu Tingyuan warily interjected, “And what if you do?”

“Then I’ll just keep apologizing… Wait, no.” Tang Yehe suddenly widened her eyes, her expression utterly incredulous. “You don’t trust me?”

“Are you really that trustworthy?” Xu Tingyuan gave her a once-over. “Who knows if someone sent you here again to bully my sister?”

“Go, just go! You’re not welcome here.”

Xu Tingyuan disliked Tang Yehe intensely and immediately tried to push her out.

But Tang Yehe stood rooted to the spot, refusing to budge. Unable to move her, Xu Tingyuan grew furious. “What do you even want?”

Tang Yehe glanced at Xu Zhen, then back at Xu Tingyuan, before finally speaking in a pitiful tone, “I wanted to see you.”

“Ever since you hit me last time, I thought you were amazing.” Tang Yehe lowered her head, too nervous to meet her crush’s eyes. “I want to be friends with you.”

“Can we hang out together in the future?”

“No.” Before she could finish, Xu Tingyuan coldly rejected her. “I don’t befriend spoiled, entitled people like you.”

Tang Yehe looked hurt. “Is it because of what happened before?”

“Duh.”

“Then what can I do to make you and Xu Zhen forgive me?” Tang Yehe asked sincerely. “Just name your conditions, anything I can do, I’ll do it.”

This girl was like an unshakable sticker. Xu Tingyuan, annoyed, blurted out sarcastically, “First, transfer two million to compensate for my sister’s emotional distress.”

“Okay! What’s your contact info? I’ll add you and send it right away!”

Tang Yehe sounded way too excited, leaving Xu Tingyuan stunned. She stared at her in disbelief. “?”

She had never seen someone so eager to throw money at others.

Something was definitely off. Xu Tingyuan grew even more wary. “Never mind.”

“Why?” Tang Yehe was confused. “Didn’t you just ask for compensation?”

“Who wants your dirty money?” Her sister had plenty of her own.

Tang Yehe fell into deep thought. Xu Tingyuan assumed she’d finally given up but less than ten seconds later, Tang Yehe suddenly clapped her hands. “You don’t want money?”

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at Xu Tingyuan. “I like you even more now.”

“Are you insane?” Xu Tingyuan wrinkled her face in disgust and took a step back. “Stay away from me.”

Xu Zhen had been silently observing their exchange and had already formed her judgment. Just as she was about to look away, Tang Yehe’s gaze suddenly locked onto her. “Sister Xu Zhen~”

She called out timidly, “I’m sorry.”

“It was my fault before. I shouldn’t have said those things to you. Will you forgive me?”

Since Xu Tingyuan was immovable, Tang Yehe shifted her focus to Xu Zhen. She was just a kidsurely Xu Zhen wouldn’t hold a grudge… right?

Nervously twisting her fingers, she added, “I can kneel for you. Should I kneel?”

As she started to bend her knees, Xu Tingyuan yanked her back. “Are you here to pick a fight? Did you set up hidden cameras to film this and frame my sister as a bully?”

“Get out!”

Xu Tingyuan was livid. There were already rumors that Xu Zhen was staging publicity stunts, if Tang Yehe succeeded, all the goodwill and reputation Xu Zhen had built could collapse.

Tang Yehe winced as Xu Tingyuan yanked her arm, her skin stinging. Hurt and confused, she protested, “How could you think that? I’d never do something like that.”

“Bad people never admit they’re bad. Who knows what you’re really plotting?”

“You’re not welcome here. Leave. Now.”

Xu Tingyuan’s domineering attitude made Tang Yehe quickly cast a pleading glance at Xu Zhen, who sighed inwardly and said, “You should leave.”

Hearing the Beta’s words, which clearly showed no intention of forgiving her, Tang Yehe’s lips quivered as she fought back tears only to be glared into submission by her crush.

Forced to gather her numerous bags, she looked back repeatedly with reluctance as Tang Yehe ushered her out of the ward.

Xu Zhen turned to pack her belongings simply. “Let’s go too.”

She changed into more low-key attire. Staying at the hospital meant constant disturbances from strangers, so checking into a hotel would provide much-needed peace.

Xu Tingyuan naturally had no objections. Carrying Xu Zhen’s things, she complained, “Sis-in-law is really something, she didn’t even arrange bodyguards for you.”

“If there were bodyguards, could that delinquent have barged in?”

“Madam!”

Before Xu Tingyuan’s words faded, several synchronized voices called out from nearby. Xu Zhen turned to recognize Jiang Ruan’s personal bodyguards.

“Is Madam leaving the hospital? Please come with us…”

“Wait.” Xu Tingyuan stopped them warily. “State your names. Who sent you?”

“They’re your sis-in-law’s people. Let’s go.” Xu Zhen restrained her foolish sister. “I know them.”

Xu Tingyuan scratched her head awkwardly but soon received praise: “You’ve become much sharper in just two days. Good progress.”

“Of course!” Xu Tingyuan immediately brightened. “Never too old to learn, I’ve been binge-reading palace intrigue novels recently.”

Xu Tingyuan genuinely cared for Xu Zhen. Though half-sisters, to her, this tsundere elder sister surpassed 99% of people worldwide.

Xu Zhen sincerely considered her welfare and generously showered her with money.

These two things alone made Xu Tingyuan giggle under her blankets at night.

In her fatherless childhood, Xu Zhen filled the void left by their absentee Alpha father kind yet strict, always acting in her best interest.

She felt fortunate Xu Zhen was kind-hearted, and that she herself had remained obedient rather than warped by their twisted circumstances.

Xu Tingyuan doubted she could ever go astray because Xu Zhen would literally beat sense into her.

And those beatings hurt terribly.

While Xu Susu might hesitate as her birth mother, Xu Zhen showed no mercy every strike precise and forceful.

Thinking of this, Xu Tingyuan couldn’t help grinning foolishly.

Xu Zhen glanced at her but said nothing. The bodyguards led them through discreet passages to the parking lot. “The CEO has arranged your hotel.”

“Good.” That the Alpha showed such consideration was rare. Settling into the car, Xu Zhen exhaled, preparing to gauge Jiang Ruan’s intentions.

The nearby hotel’s arrival went unnoticed thanks to the vehicle’s privacy features. Passing the hospital entrance, Xu Zhen calmly observed the swarming reporters, her expression unreadable.

This hotel was under Pu Shuangquan’s ownership, catering to the high-end luxury market with clientele consisting exclusively of the wealthy and powerful. Consequently, its security was impeccable, making it one of the safest places in the city at present.

After entering the room, Xu Zhen couldn’t sit still and immediately began asking Assistant Lu about her schedule for the next two weeks.

Assistant Lu sent her the itinerary, which Xu Zhen quickly skimmed through.

Xu Tingyuan didn’t disturb her. She sat to the side, scrolling through her phone, when she suddenly noticed a friend request from someone named “He Miao.” Instantly recognizing the identity Tang Yehe, Xu Tingyuan didn’t hesitate before blocking the person.

She would never forgive anyone who bullied Xu Zhen.

Assistant Lu had arranged Xu Zhen’s schedule reasonably, despite Jiahua Entertainment’s relentless efforts to squeeze every last bit of profit from her. However, since Xu Zhen had just been involved in an accident the day before, Jiahua’s plans were thwarted.

Though unwilling and still aggressive, under Assistant Lu’s skillful handling, they ultimately had to back down unless they wanted to ruin their reputation.

With work matters temporarily resolved by Assistant Lu, Xu Zhen had little left to do. Xu Tingyuan still had evening classes to attend, so after lunch, Xu Zhen shooed her away.

Once alone again, Xu Zhen found herself back in solitude.

“Madam, here’s a script for you to review,” Assistant Lu suddenly sent over an electronic document. “If you find it acceptable, we can sign the contract and join the production once the studio is officially established.”

“Compensation and other details will be discussed in detail during our next meeting.”

With nothing else to occupy her, Xu Zhen tapped open the document and began reading. It was an original script, written in a style reminiscent of online novels, packed with all sorts of dramatic tropes mother-in-law conflicts, romantic tension between wives, and revenge against scumbags making it highly addictive.

The document was lengthy and Xu Zhen became so engrossed in the script that she lost track of time.

“Beep!” A smart recognition tone suddenly sounded. Xu Zhen reflexively looked up to see Jiang Ruan stepping into view.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Ruan spoke first: “Why didn’t you reply to my messages?”

Xu Zhen let out an “Ah,” belatedly explaining, “My phone was on Do Not Disturb. I didn’t notice.”

“Taking on a new script?” Jiang Ruan noticed Xu Zhen’s slightly dazed, not-yet-fully-awake expression and probed nonchalantly, “Who’s your co-star?”

“Not sure yet.”

Unaware of Jiang Ruan’s subtle ulterior motives, Xu Zhen set the iPad aside. “But it’ll probably be an Alpha.”

Building upon the foundation of a realistic setting, the screenwriter had infused this melodramatic script with deeper meaning. In an absurd twist, the Alpha protagonist undergoes an experiment and ultimately becomes an ordinary person neither Beta nor Omega, but a true, average human, completely free from the control and influence of pheromones, just like ancient humans.

It was pure fantasy. Even if the scumbag Alpha regretted everything and wanted to win back the female lead, there was no way they would willingly give up the privileges that came with their high-status Alpha identity.

Xu Zhen was certain no such fool existed in the world.

The structure and hierarchy of this world had long solidified. A system formed over millennia couldn’t be dismantled or collapsed overnight. Xu Zhen hesitated, the script was excellent, but its subject matter was too sensitive. Even if filming concluded smoothly, there was no guarantee it would be approved for broadcast.

Xu Zhen needed to carefully consider whether to accept this project.

Noticing Xu Zhen deep in thought, Jiang Ruan quietly sat down beside the beta. “Have you made your decision?”

“Not yet.” Xu Zhen looked up, puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

Jiang Ruan’s excessive interest in her work put Xu Zhen on alert this was highly unusual.

“Just curious.” The alpha naturally noticed the wariness in Xu Zhen’s eyes. After silently observing for a moment, she said, “Don’t work with Xue Long anymore.”

Xu Zhen: “Why?”

“She’s not a good person.” Jiang Ruan showed no qualms about badmouthing Xue Long behind her back. “I don’t want you seeing her again.”

Xu Zhen remained silent.

After nearly half a minute of tense silence, Jiang Ruan could no longer contain herself and confessed honestly: “I’d get jealous.”

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