Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 28

The Alpha was being excessively candid. Xu Zhen’s face showed a hint of bewilderment. “Hmm?”

Her brain short-circuited for a moment before she realized what Jiang Ruan was referring to. Flustered, she pursed her lips and attempted to change the subject. “She’s just a colleague. We’re not close.”

“I know,” Jiang Ruan murmured, her thick lashes lowering slightly. “But the way she looks at you… isn’t exactly innocent.”

“Her conduct is questionable, and her personal life is messy. You should stay away from her.”

This was the first time Xu Zhen had heard the other woman speak ill of another Alpha. Finding it oddly amusing, she casually agreed, “If it weren’t for work, I wouldn’t have anything to do with her in the first place.”

Xu Zhen thought she had made herself perfectly clear, but Jiang Ruan pressed on relentlessly. “What if?”

“She starts pursuing you aggressively?” The woman’s gaze burned with intensity. “What would you do?”

Xu Zhen was baffled. “What does that have to do with me?”

Jiang Ruan wasn’t satisfied with the answer. She slowly closed the distance between them, enunciating each word deliberately. “If she pursues you, if she expresses affection or love, you should reject her outright.”

“Like this.” Jiang Ruan lifted Xu Zhen’s hand, her eyes lingering on the wedding ring adorning the Beta’s slender finger. “Show her this. Tell her you’re already married to me.”

The Alpha was dead serious. Staring into those jealous eyes, Xu Zhen felt an inexplicable urge to tease her. “Married?”

“Wouldn’t that just make it more thrilling?”

Jiang Ruan choked, momentarily speechless.

Xu Zhen withdrew her hand. “Stop overthinking things. Everyone’s so busy, who has time for romance? Besides, once the contract expires, who knows if we’ll even see each other again?”

At this, Jiang Ruan’s lashes drooped even further.

“Is that all you came here to talk about tonight?” The sudden silence made Xu Zhen uncomfortable, so she broke it first. “Anything else?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head. “I’m staying here tonight. With you.”

“I don’t need company.” Xu Zhen had grown accustomed to solitude. After everything that had happened, an irreparable rift had formed between them. Jiang Ruan’s presence made her uneasy, so unless absolutely necessary, she preferred not to share the same space.

Still, not wanting to hurt the other woman, she softened her tone. “I’ll be up late reviewing scripts tonight. The lights will stay on, so…”

“It’s fine.” Jiang Ruan pointed to her suitcase. “I brought an eye mask.”

Xu Zhen was at a loss for words.

In the end, she gave up arguing over such trivialities. “Suit yourself. Just don’t complain if you’re disturbed later.”

There was a subtle shift in the Beta’s tone no longer the gentle, considerate care from before, but detached and indifferent. A pang of unease shot through Jiang Ruan’s heart.

She wanted to talk things through properly, but Xu Zhen had already immersed herself in the script, eyes fixed unblinkingly on her iPad screen, as if the living, breathing woman beside her had vanished into thin air.

Jiang Ruan watched her for a while before finally turning away to wash up and change into her pajamas.

Xu Zhen paid no mind to the Alpha’s movements, whether or not to accept this job had become her most pressing dilemma. In the end, she stepped onto the balcony and dialed Assistant Lu’s number. “Will this kind of subject matter be able to air smoothly after filming?”

“Yes,” Assistant Lu assured her firmly. “The production company has strong backing. We’ll make the necessary arrangements in advance.”

That was a relief. Xu Zhen exhaled. “Let’s discuss the contract details another day.”

The greater the risk, the greater the reward. Xu Zhen saw the potential for the script to become a hit, so she was ready to take the gamble.

Her first project after leaving Jiahua had to be a resounding success otherwise, all future opportunities would be affected. And if Jiahua applied pressure behind the scenes… Xu Zhen’s career could very well be completely derailed.

That would not be good news.

Lost in thought about the future, Xu Zhen lingered on the balcony. Faint murmurs of Jiang Ruan’s voice drifted from inside. Xu Zhen glanced back was it Xing Yan again?

Though there was a 50% chance the rumors about Jiang Ruan and Xing Yan were false, the two were acting suspiciously, clearly hiding something major.

Jiang Ruan had refused to share the truth with her, and Xu Zhen had initially respected that boundary. But now, she was growing weary of this secrecy. What kind of important, unspeakable secret was so crucial that even she had to be kept in the dark?

Weren’t she and Jiang Ruan supposed to be united?

A flicker of irritation rose in Xu Zhen’s chest as she strode over. Jiang Ruan tried to evade her, moving toward the next room to take the call, but Xu Zhen didn’t give her the chance.

She stepped directly in front of the Alpha, blocking her path. “Can’t I listen?” she asked calmly in a whisper.

Jiang Ruan paused mid-step, then slowly nodded. Seizing the moment, she leaned down and brushed a light kiss against the beta’s lips. “You can listen. But don’t get angry, I don’t have those kinds of thoughts.”

With that, Jiang Ruan openly switched the call to speakerphone.

Madam Xing’s voice came through clearly. “Xiao Ruan, what exactly are you thinking? You and Yan Yan grew up together, you know each other inside out, and your bond is strong…”

She sighed. “A few years ago, Yan Yan went abroad for further studies. She has the education, the looks, and our family background is nothing to scoff at.”

“Before the rumors about you two started, she could have easily found a good match. But now?”

“Xiao Ruan, you have to consider Yan Yan’s situation too.”

Madam Xing rambled on, but Xu Zhen grasped the gist within moments. She was probing Jiang Ruan’s stance, trying to confirm her feelings for Xing Yan even subtly pressuring her to make a choice.

Because of the rumors, Xing Yan’s reputation had taken a hit, potentially costing her a good marriage prospect. So Madam Xing was pinning the blame on Jiang Ruan and expecting her to take responsibility.

Xu Zhen listened quietly without interrupting. It was Jiang Ruan who lost patience first, her tone cool as she replied, “Auntie, there’s no question that A-Yan and I are very close friends.”

“A-Yan is brilliant, and her life is just beginning. There’s no need to rush into marriage.”

“As for the rumors between me and her,  my company’s legal department has already taken action. We’ll soon clear A-Yan’s name and restore her reputation. If anyone looks down on A-Yan because of these baseless rumors, thinking she’s unfaithful or ‘devalued,’ then such people aren’t worth marrying anyway.”

“Auntie, your family has status and reputation. Surely you wouldn’t sell off your daughter like some families would?”

Jiang Ruan spoke bluntly, catching Mrs. Xing off guard. There was an awkward chuckle on the other end of the line before she quickly denied it: “Of course not, haha.”

“We’re just worried and anxious, hoping A-Yan can find her happiness soon.”

Mrs. Xing had already keenly sensed Jiang Ruan’s implication. Regretful, she exchanged a few more polite words before hastily ending the call, no longer pressing the matter.

The phone screen had gone dark. Xu Zhen looked up, meeting Jiang Ruan’s gaze.

“Why are they so eager to marry Xing Yan off?” Xu Zhen genuinely wondered. Qin Qin was also an Omega, yet her parents wished their daughter would never marry, staying by their side forever.

The Xing family was wealthier and more influential than the Qins, so logically, Xing Yan should have more time and options.

“A-Yan’s family is having some cash flow problems,” Jiang Ruan didn’t hide this from Xu Zhen. “At the same time, her father is extremely domineering and old-fashioned. He believes Omegas exist solely to bear children for Alphas.”

“He thinks the only value an Omega has in this world is reproduction.”

Xu Zhen frowned. How could such backward thinking still exist in this day and age? Yet it wasn’t hard to understand Alphas dominated everything in this world: wealth, power, and more. It was easy for them to develop arrogant, superior attitudes.

No wonder Xing Yan was so eccentric and isolated, so out of sync with others.

In such a suffocating family, it was no surprise an Omega wouldn’t thrive.

Feeling pity, Xu Zhen probed, “The Xing family is an established name. Even with cash flow issues, they…” Mid-sentence, realization dawned on her.

Why had Xing Yan been sent abroad immediately after presenting as an Omega? Given her father’s mindset, he’d likely prepared for both outcomes all along.

Whether Xing Yan became an Alpha or Omega, he could adapt his plans accordingly.

All his efforts to “cultivate” Xing Yan, to elevate her status and image wasn’t it all so he could one day use her to solve his problems?

There had never been familial love in Xing Yan’s father’s eyes, only profit.

From his lofty position, he was like a breeder carefully selecting the most advantageous son-in-law, maximizing his returns.

Seeing the understanding in the beta’s expression, Jiang Ruan nodded. “Exactly what you’re thinking.”

Xu Zhen wasn’t sure how to feel. Images of the Omega’s delicate yet cold, fragile face flashed through her mind, leaving her with complicated emotions.

Perhaps entangling herself in rumors with Jiang Ruan was Xing Yan’s last lifeline. It could mislead her parents, preventing them from immediately marrying her off to some unknown, unloved Alpha to bear his heirs, while buying herself time to consider other escape routes.

From Xing Yan’s perspective, it truly was an excellent strategy.

But Xu Zhen slowly raised her eyes. “So, you also deliberately let the rumors between you two escalate until they became a huge sensation, all under the guise of helping her?”

“Jiang Ruan, when you indulged in all this, did you ever consider my feelings? What do you take me for?”

Xu Zhen should have been furious, yet at this moment, she was eerily calm. “I am your lawful wife. Did you think I wouldn’t feel hurt, humiliated, or angry?”

Even if Jiang Ruan had simply explained a word or two to her at the very beginning.

But dwelling on it was pointless. Xu Zhen tried to steady her emotions, convincing herself that Jiang Ruan was never a normal person to begin with.

When God opens a door, He surely closes a window. This Alpha was already outstanding in every other aspect, so it was only natural for her to be emotionally obtuse and inconsiderate.

Just as some men grow more unfaithful the higher their status climbs, Jiang Ruan, since their marriage, had only been involved in gossip with Xing Yan.

Xu Zhen closed her eyes. Compared to others, Jiang Ruan was already quite restrained.

A Beta’s expression could shift in an instant. Jiang Ruan now looked somewhat flustered. “When the rumors first started, I didn’t know about them,” she attempted to explain. “It was only later, when the buzz kept growing, that I heard about it.”

“And then?” Xu Zhen stared into her eyes. “What did you do?”

“Didn’t you do nothing at all?”

Xu Zhen pressed aggressively, and Jiang Ruan instinctively retreated, pressing her lips together instead of offering excuses. Anger surged in Xu Zhen. “What exactly is going on between you and Xing Yan? I’m giving you one last chance to explain.”

The Alpha’s face lifted slightly, as if burdened by something she couldn’t voice.

Xu Zhen couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Won’t say it? Fine.”

She forced out a self-deprecating smile. “You can leave now. I don’t want to see you anymore. We’ll talk again when you’re ready to tell me the truth.”

“Just give me some time, okay?” Jiang Ruan refused to leave. She stepped forward, trying to pull Xu Zhen into an embrace, but the Beta deftly avoided her. “Don’t touch me.”

Jiang Ruan froze, then obediently stepped back. “Alright.”

“When the time comes, I’ll tell you everything,” Jiang Ruan said softly, her tone submissive. “But not now. This is a critical moment, we can’t afford any mistakes.”

Xu Zhen had no rebuttal. She studied Jiang Ruan intently before suddenly saying, “You make me feel like a stranger.”

“Before, and now too.”

“Jiang Ruan, it’s like I’ve never truly understood you, never really entered your heart.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Do you even love me?”

“Why did you choose to marry me back then, and not Xing Yan?”

The answers to these questions no longer mattered. Xu Zhen averted her gaze, unwilling to look at Jiang Ruan’s feigned pitiful expression any longer.

They were never from the same world to begin with, so parting ways was inevitable.

Xu Zhen should have listened to Bai Zhen’s advice to find someone like herself, steady and reliable, a Beta unaffected by pheromones.

Only a Beta paired with another Beta could offer true stability.

Xu Zhen walked straight past Jiang Ruan, but halfway, the Alpha pulled her into an embrace. “Because I love you. That’s why I chose to marry you.”

“Without needing any pheromones, my heart raced for you the very first time we met.” The woman’s tender words whispered by her ear, her fragrant breath warm against her cheek.

Jiang Ruan clung tightly to Xu Zhen, refusing to let go, afraid she might run away again. Like squeezing toothpaste, she clumsily yet persistently coaxed her angry wife: “To me, you’re more alluring than any pheromone. I love everything about you.”

Alphas were usually cold, distant, and rarely so openly expressive. Xu Zhen froze in surprise.

The surrounding temperature seemed to rise instantly her cheeks burned, her entire body felt feverish.

Instinctively trying to break free from Jiang Ruan’s hold, Xu Zhen stared wide-eyed, unusually flustered. In her panic, she blurted out, “I can’t see it, and I don’t feel it.”

It was the most honest thought in her heart, but to Jiang Ruan, it only sounded bewildering. “I thought you were always satisfied with my service.”

“Did you not like it before? Did it feel uncomfortable?”

That wasn’t the case. Xu Zhen licked her dry lips. Weren’t they just talking about the Alpha hiding things from her? How did the conversation suddenly veer into such indecent territory?

Was Jiang Ruan doing this on purpose?

Fuming, Xu Zhen shot the Alpha a glare before snapping in frustration, “Sleep on the floor tonight.”

Support