Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 29

“I thought you’d kick me out,” Jiang Ruan said, momentarily stunned.

Xu Zhen shot the Alpha a glare. The other woman was taller and stronger, so unless Jiang Ruan left of her own accord, Xu Qin had no way of forcing her out.

Jiang Ruan hadn’t considered this. She simply clung tightly to her wife. “If you’re ever unhappy with me in the future, just say it outright. I’ll do my best to change.”

The biggest difference between Jiang Ruan and Qin Liaoxing was that Jiang Ruan was obedient, compliant, and quick to correct her mistakes unlike Qin Liaoxing, who was stubborn, foul-tempered, and unyielding.

She had inherited some of Lan Boyue’s better traits, which was why Pu Shuangquan eventually accepted Lan Boyue.

At this point, there was no use in the old lady’s resistance. Her daughter had already had a child with someone else, how could she let her own granddaughter suffer outside?

Jiang Ruan’s sincere apology softened Xu Zhen’s expression slightly.

She looked at the Alpha seriously and said, “Don’t let it happen again.”

Since Jiang Ruan claimed she had no choice but to withhold the truth for now, Xu Zhen would wait until the day she could explain everything.

Xu Zhen was determined to find out what these two childhood friends were secretly up to.

With the scandal successfully put to rest, Jiang Ruan’s anxiety quietly eased. Still, she knew the past had become a thorn deeply embedded in Xu Zhen’s heart. So…

She frowned slightly.

Xu Zhen hadn’t finished reading the script yet, it was her first job after leaving Jiahua, and she took it very seriously. A workaholic by nature, she immediately immersed herself in studying the character once their conversation ended.

A good script with a meaningful message meant Xu Zhen had to put in extra effort.

Jiang Ruan understood Xu Zhen’s temperament, and since she was busy herself, the two coexisted in the same room without disturbing each other, a silent understanding between them.

The night passed peacefully.

Assistant Lu had only secured three days of rest for Xu Zhen, and today, she had to start preparing for upcoming work. Since her previous cameo remained unfinished, Xu Qin had arranged with the crew to reshoot tonight.

After such a major incident, the crew didn’t dare let Xu Zhen take risks again.

They used stunt doubles wherever possible, refusing to let her endanger herself. Moreover, the moment Xu Zhen appeared on set, at least ten pairs of eyes were fixed on her, ensuring no further accidents.

The suspect from that day was still at large, leaving everyone on edge, fearing her sudden reappearance.

Fortunately, the reshoot went smoothly. Once done, Xu Zhen returned to her van. Assistant Lu spoke up immediately, “President Pu called earlier.”

“I’ll call her back.” Taking the phone from Assistant Lu and waiting for her to step out, Xu Zhen dialed Pu Shuangquan’s number. “Grandmother, you wanted to speak with me?”

Pu Shuangquan didn’t mince words. “I heard you’re planning to establish your own studio?”

“Yes.” Assistant Lu was Pu Shuangquan’s trusted aide, so Xu Zhen’s intentions couldn’t be hidden. But Pu Shuangquan had never interfered in Xu Zhen’s personal affairs before, why now…?

“Do you still plan to continue working in the entertainment industry?” Pu Shuangquan’s tone carried disapproval. “As my granddaughter-in-law and Jiang Ruan’s wife, how improper is it for you to keep filming those things outside?”

Qin Liaoxing was rebellious. After eloping for love and having a child with Lan Boyue, she directly had the child take Lan Boyue’s mother’s surname.

When Pu Shuangquan first heard about this, she nearly fainted from anger.

That defiant daughter was clearly doing it on purpose. She knew exactly what Pu Shuangquan cared about most and deliberately provoked her, flaunting her defiance to challenge her domineering and authoritarian mother.

Unable to discipline Qin Liaoxing or Lan Boyue, Pu Shuangquan could only focus all her efforts on Jiang Ruan and now, Xu Zhen.

“No matter how successful you are in the entertainment industry, you’ll always have to grovel for opportunities. Instead of that, why not come home and assist Jiang Ruan? I’ll have Assistant Lu guide and mentor you.”

Pu Shuangquan meant well. Climbing the ladder of capital was nothing compared to becoming capital yourself. If Xu Zhen abandoned her career to join Pu Shuangquan’s conglomerate, her status and influence would rise significantly.

To gain Pu Shuangquan’s favor and Assistant Lu’s guidance was something many could only dream of.

But Xu Zhen already had her own career plans. Moreover, once entangled with her in-laws’ business interests, she would be constrained in many decisions, unable to act freely.

That wasn’t what Xu Zhen wanted. So she declined politely, “I’m sorry, Grandmother.”

No further explanation was needed. Pu Shuangquan understood her stance from those first two words. Suppressing her temper, she lectured Xu Zhen at length, even breaking down the benefits in painstaking detail but none of it swayed Xu Zhen’s resolve.

Noticing the same stubbornness in her granddaughter-in-law as in her own daughter, Pu Shuangquan felt an inexplicable surge of anger. “Ungrateful wretch!”

The call ended coldly. Xu Zhen sighed, holding her phone helplessly.

She wasn’t skilled in business or management her expertise lay elsewhere. Agreeing to Pu Shuangquan’s offer would mean starting from scratch.

And how much time would Pu Shuangquan realistically give her to learn and adapt?

Setting her phone down gently, Xu Zhen called for Assistant Lu to join her in the car. The assistant didn’t pry, instead professionally reporting work matters.

The next shoot was in another city, so Xu Zhen had to take a late-night flight.

While waiting, she scrolled through online news about herself. As her contract with Jiahua neared its end, the company’s tactics grew increasingly vicious.

Rumors about Xu Zhen kept surfacing, but she had always maintained a clean reputation. Unable to tarnish her directly, Jiahua resorted to dragging Jiang Ruan and Xing Yan into the mess, fabricating a narrative of marital strife and painting Xu Zhen as a homewrecker who ruined their childhood sweethearts’ relationship.

Fans like Xiaozhenmo, who had followed Xu Zhen since her extra days, knew her character well. Furious at Jiahua’s underhanded cruelty, they organized daily efforts to defend and clarify the truth for her.

But ordinary fans were no match for corporate power, especially when most supporters were betas.

With fans too weak to counter Jiahua’s deliberate distortions and media manipulation, Xu Zhen’s reputation suffered unprecedented damage potentially even jeopardizing her future career prospects.

Amidst this chaotic mess, Jiang Ruan’s personal account publicly declared that she would defend Xu Zhen’s rights to the very end.

Jiang Ruan’s company’s legal department was formidable, renowned in the industry. Knowing they were no match for Jiang Ruan, Jiahua quickly grew nervous and took down more than half of the smear campaigns online.

With Jiang Ruan openly standing up for her, Xu Zhen’s situation improved significantly.

“Can this trash company act like decent human beings? Trying to destroy what you can’t have is just pathetic! Even a veteran artist who’s been with them for years ends up like this, who would dare sign with them now?”

“Exactly. Fans of artists who just signed with Jiahua or are still stuck there being exploited should start worrying about their idols’ futures.”

“Jiahua is a cancer in the industry. If even someone as popular as Xu Zhen gets treated like this, imagine how they treat less famous artists.”

“Huh? Xue Long terminated her contract by paying a penalty? What’s going on?”

This revelation sent shockwaves through the public. Not just the spectators, but even Xu Zhen’s attention was completely diverted by Xue Long’s news.

Xue Long had previously mentioned her plans to leave Jiahua to Xu Zhen, but Xu Zhen had assumed it was just a passing thought. She never expected Xue Long to act so swiftly, without giving anyone time to process it.

Xu Zhen couldn’t understand, Xue Long already had top-tier treatment at Jiahua. Was there really a reason she had to leave?

Would she earn more outside? Have more freedom?

Xu Zhen couldn’t fathom Xue Long’s reasoning, but that didn’t stop Xue Long from successfully shifting public focus. The number of people obsessing over the messy love triangle between Xu Zhen, Jiang Ruan, and Xing Yan dropped by more than half.

Still, the timing of Xue Long’s contract termination news felt… off to Xu Zhen.

“Have you found evidence of Jiahua hiring trolls?” Xu Zhen asked Assistant Lu for updates. “When does Jiang Ruan plan to send the cease-and-desist and file the lawsuit?”

Assistant Lu: “President Jiang has already taken action.”

So, Jiahua was pulling the same old trick, releasing Xue Long’s news to divert attention from themselves.

After all, suppressing and smearing their own artists wasn’t exactly honorable. No one wanted to be caught red-handed and end up covered in scandal.

You had to admit, Jiahua’s PR team was sharp.

Xu Zhen nodded. If Jiang Ruan was stepping in, her situation would improve drastically.

As she neared the hotel, Jiang Ruan called. “Did my grandmother approach you?”

Xu Zhen didn’t hide it and briefly explained what happened. The Alpha showed little reaction after listening. “Ignore her. Do whatever you want, I’ll handle her.”

“I’ve already made my stance clear to her. This matter should be over now. There’s no need for you to waste words on my behalf.”

Pu Shuangquan was domineering, decisive, and ruthless. Xu Zhen worried that Jiang Ruan pestering her might provoke her displeasure, so she tried to dissuade her.

“No need.”

“Alright, then get some rest.” Jiang Ruan didn’t push further. “I won’t come over tonight.”

Xu Zhen almost reflexively asked why was it because of plans with someone else, or something else entirely? But in the end, she held back. “Understood.”

Maintaining the status quo was fine. Her marriage with Jiang Ruan was already fragile recklessly overstepping boundaries or digging too deep would only drive them apart faster.

After marriage, doesn’t everyone gradually learn to play dumb and turn a blind eye?

The car soon came to a stop. Assistant Lu helped Xu Zhen with her luggage as they headed to the front desk to check in. Midway through the process, Assistant Lu suddenly whispered to Xu Zhen, “Madam, it’s Miss Xing Yan.”

Xu Zhen followed the sound and saw Xing Yan stepping out of the elevator.

Tonight, Xing Yan was dressed as impeccably as ever, like an expensive doll in a shop window, effortlessly drawing the gazes of passersby.

Surrounded by so many eyes, Xing Yan didn’t notice Xu Zhen, who was wearing sunglasses.

Her expression was icy, her demeanor freezing, exuding an aura of aloofness that kept those with ulterior motives at bay.

At that moment, Xing Yan moved through the crowd like a haughty princess, until she suddenly vanished from sight.

“She’s staying at this hotel too?” Xu Zhen realized she’d asked a pointless question and quickly added, “Why isn’t the bodyguard who usually follows her around here?”

Assistant Lu: “I’m not sure either.”

“But Miss Xing Yan is formidable outside of her sensitive period. Having a bodyguard or not doesn’t matter.”

Mentioning Xing Yan seemed to open a floodgate for Assistant Lu. “Before her differentiation, Miss Xing Yan was incredible. She trained in martial arts from childhood, mastered music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she was the genius girl everyone praised.”

“Even President Jiang couldn’t outshine her.”

“Back then, we all thought she’d differentiate into an Alpha and become the most outstanding heir in history, leading the family business to greater heights.” Assistant Lu sighed. “But fate had other plans.”

Xu Zhen was a true beta and couldn’t fully grasp the mindset of Alphas and Omegas. “Even if she differentiated into an Omega, she’s still a person first and an exceptional one at that, isn’t she?”

“Xing Yan is of the Xing family’s blood. Why should she lose all that power just because she became an Omega?”

Assistant Lu didn’t dismiss Xu Zhen’s questions but smiled wryly. “Because the ironclad rule of this world is: Alphas rule everything.”

“They won’t allow anyone to break that rule.”

“Take me, for example. I was born into a family that favored sons over daughters. My twin brother and I had vastly different treatment growing up. But when my beloved brother differentiated into an Omega, and I, the overlooked one became an Alpha, I suddenly received all the family’s resources.”

“They poured everything into grooming me, while they arranged a marriage for my brother early, negotiated the dowry, and planned to use it to secure me a worthy wife to carry on the family line.”

Assistant Lu’s emotions were complicated. Just because of differentiation, her life had turned upside down.

If someone as ordinary as her faced such drastic changes, how much worse must it be for someone from a wealthy family like the Xings?

Trapped in that world, Xing Yan had even less control, her situation far more difficult. Assistant Lu suspected that this might be the root cause of Xing Yan’s drastic personality shift.

Xu Zhen understood the importance of differentiation to humans, but she never imagined reality would be far more brutal and harsh than what she’d learned from books and television.

She watched Xing Yan’s figure disappear, just as the front desk completed her check-in procedures.

Accepting her documents with a word of thanks, Xu Zhen silently entered the elevator lobby. After a long pause, she said, “I want to understand her.”

She looked up at Assistant Lu. “Is there any way I can observe her without being noticed?”

Assistant Lu pondered for a moment. “Miss Xing Yan used to record daily videos sharing her life on social media. I can give you her account details.”

“Thank you.” Xu Zhen smiled. After settling her luggage in the room, she immediately searched for the username provided by Assistant Lu without even bothering to freshen up.

Clicking on the first video chronologically, Xu Zhen was instantly struck by the radiant teenage girl on screen.

That version of Xing Yan laughed and joked, her eyes brimming with mischief, vibrant as a beautiful calico cat. Xu Zhen felt her heartbeat quicken unconsciously.

Though Xing Yan hadn’t posted many videos on this platform, each was remarkably substantial.

The recordings captured all her triumphs and highlights during high school, with so many certificates of honor appearing consecutively that five hands couldn’t count them all.

As an outsider and observer, Xu Zhen silently accompanied her through these victories, feeling equally exhilarated and proud as if the girl on screen were her own cherished daughter.

But just as Xu Zhen’s emotions peaked, the screen suddenly went black, reflecting her unconsciously upturned lips.

Dragged abruptly back to reality, Xu Zhen’s smile froze.

An indescribable sense of dissonance welled up from her heart, leaving her momentarily dazed, nearly unable to connect the pre-eighteen Xing Yan with the current Omega Xing Yan.

The transformation was too drastic this enormous gap made Xu Zhen instinctively resist accepting reality.

If the former Xing Yan had been a bright, eye-catching wild rose, the current Xing Yan was like a solitary snowflake standing alone in freezing winds, ready to melt at any moment.

Xu Zhen slowly set down her phone. Without realizing it, her pity and compassion for Xing Yan had quietly surpassed all other emotions, taking dominant hold.

What had once angered her about Jiang Ruan’s behavior now only struck her as excessively cold and inconsiderate.

When a childhood friend’s life suffered such traumatic upheavals, Jiang Ruan should have made more time to comfort and counsel her. If it were Xu Zhen in that position, she believed she could do far better than Jiang Ruan.

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