Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 30

Xu Zhen stared blankly at the nightscape outside the window, suddenly developing an indelible and intense interest in Xing Yan. Unfortunately, she wasn’t close to Xing Yan, and Xing Yan wouldn’t give her the chance to get closer.

Moreover, Xu Zhen herself was currently struggling in the mire, with the will but not the strength to act.

Xu Zhen raised her hand to rub her temples and continued browsing Xing Yan’s other social media accounts. Since her differentiation, Xing Yan had stopped updating her statuses entirely.

All her posts were from at least nine years ago.

The abrupt cessation of updates was just like her as if she had quietly vanished from the world, ceasing to exist.

Xu Zhen let out a long sigh, then closed the page and turned to Assistant Lu for more information: “What happened to Xing Yan after she was sent abroad?”

“I don’t know,” Assistant Lu genuinely had no idea, otherwise she would have told the truth.

Xu Zhen remembered Jiang Ruan mentioning that after Xing Yan went abroad, she seemed to have disappeared without a trace, leaving little news. So… perhaps Sister Zhen Zhen knew something?

She immediately opened Sister Zhen Zhen’s chat window and explained her purpose.

Sister Zhen Zhen couldn’t quite grasp her intentions, but that didn’t matter. “After Ayan left us, she rarely kept in touch. Whenever we asked about her, she either said nothing or just brushed us off with ‘everything’s fine.'”

Speaking of this, Sister Zhen Zhen sounded slightly resentful. “Ayan is really something. We’re her closest friends, yet she wouldn’t even share her own news with us.”

“If we hadn’t known her for so long and knew she’s a good person, we would’ve cut ties with her long ago.”

After venting, Sister Zhen Zhen abruptly changed the subject. “Sister Zhen Zhen, last time we weren’t very familiar, so there were a few things I didn’t say. But now I can assure you Ayan and Jiang Ruan are absolutely innocent.”

“Ayan has boundaries and morals. She wouldn’t knowingly get involved with a married Alpha like Jiang Ruan.”

Xu Zhen already knew the rumors were fabricated by their company, Jia Hua. “I know, and I believe she isn’t that kind of person.”

If Xing Yan had any interest in Jiang Ruan, given her capabilities, the situation would never have turned out like this.

Xu Zhen’s trust eased Sister Zhen Zhen’s worries. “But Sister Zhen Zhen, why are you suddenly interested in Ayan? Did you see some baseless rumors online again?”

Sister Zhen Zhen liked Xing Yan and also liked Xu Zhen. She hoped the two could get along peacefully better yet, become friends. So she cautiously probed, “Those people love to gossip, no, I need to monitor the internet constantly. At the first sign of trouble, I’ll report it until the fake news is taken down.”

The Omega muttered to herself, making Xu Zhen’s lips curl upward. “No.”

“I want to become friends with Xing Yan.”

Her words were shocking enough to stun Sister Zhen Zhen, who had been hoping to introduce the two. “Huh?” Qin Qin’s mouth fell open as she let out a doubtful syllable. “Really? Did I hear that right?”

“No mistake,” Xu Zhen replied firmly. “Can you help me?”

“Of course!” Sister Zhen Zhen agreed without hesitation. “One of Ayan’s relatives is holding an eighteenth birthday celebration in a couple of days. I’ll take you with me then.”

Sister Zhen Zhen exclaimed excitedly, “Sister Xu Zhen, you simply must make time for this amazing opportunity!”

“Alright,” Xu Zhen replied. After getting the details, she immediately asked Assistant Lu to help rearrange her schedule. Fortunately, after some negotiation between Assistant Lu and Jiahua, Xu Zhen’s calendar wasn’t too packed, so she easily freed up the time.

Xu Zhen didn’t inform Jiang Ruan about her personal plans. Having made all the arrangements herself, she spent the next two days busily occupied.

Soon, the day of her appointment with Sister Zhen Zhen arrived in the blink of an eye.

Sister Zhen Zhen sent a message early in the morning and came prepared to meet Xu Zhen beforehand. Xu Zhen dressed simply, her well-tailored outfit exuding understated elegance without being ostentatious.

“We’ll arrive right on time if we leave now,” Sister Zhen Zhen said affectionately, linking arms with Xu Zhen. “Thank goodness you’re a beta, sister, or I wouldn’t have any company.”

Xing Yan was cold and distant, while her other close friends were alphas who had to maintain their distance at all times.

After surveying her circle of friends, Sister Zhen Zhen concluded thatXu Zhen was the best and most approachable. “Being around alphas is too dangerous for me, and omegas are prone to getting me caught up in their issues. Life is so difficult!”

If an omega suddenly went into heat and involuntarily released pheromones, chaos would inevitably ensue in the vicinity.

Alphas who lost control and rationality wouldn’t think they’d typically mark whoever they caught, completely disregarding the other’s consent. Thus, omegas were often the loneliest people in the world.

Alphas and betas could travel together. Although alphas disliked the scent of their own kind, the social structure forced them to suppress their true feelings and calmly sit down with their peers to divide the pie.

As for betas, they were the most ordinary people, unaffected by alpha or omega pheromones, making them the freest and most unfettered individuals in the world.

Young Sister Zhen Zhen had small worries to match her age. Xu Zhen couldn’t help but laugh at her words. “Most people don’t want to associate with betas like us.”

“That’s their stupidity,” Sister Zhen Zhen retorted without hesitation. “If I could choose freely, I’d want to be an invincible beta when I differentiated. You have no idea how awful it feels to be inexplicably drawn to someone else’s pheromones on the street and lose control of yourself.”

Sister Zhen Zhen subconsciously touched the anti-bite collar on her collarbone, as if only by sensing its presence could she feel secure.

“Everyone says betas are the ones left behind in evolution, but I don’t think so. I think you’re practically perfect,” Sister Zhen Zhen said, sneaking glances at Xu Zhen to gauge her reaction. “Sister Xu Zhen, don’t you think alphas and omegas, who are so easily influenced by pheromones…”

“Aren’t they kind of like lower animals?”

The topic was too sensitive, so Xu Zhen didn’t answer directly. “You’re so young why do you have so much on your mind?”

“It’s PTSD. I’ve been traumatized,” Sister Zhen Zhen said, not dwelling on the previous subject. She quickly launched into stories about her harrowing near-misses with being marked by alphas over the years.

Omega was delicate and petite, utterly defenseless against any Alpha. The most dangerous incident occurred when a strange Alpha’s fangs had already pierced Sister Zhen Zhen’s skin, nearly taking the next step.

Fortunately, the wealthy woman Sister Zhen Zhen had called for help arrived just in time, snatching her from the jaws of danger and successfully saving her.

After that, Sister Zhen Zhen no longer dared to wander outside casually.

For her, life and self-preservation were far more important and precious than freedom.

Xu Zhen didn’t have many close Omega friends, and her social circle mostly consisted of other betas. So when she heard Sister Zhen Zhen recount these experiences, she felt both lingering fear and heartache.

“Stick with me today,” she said after their recent interactions, already treating Sister Zhen Zhen like a younger sister akin to Xu Tingyuan. “I’ll protect you.”

Xu Zhen was quite formidable in combat, capable of effortlessly subduing adult Alphas.

Sister Zhen Zhen, clearly aware of this from online rumors, nodded eagerly as if afraid Xu Zhen might change her mind. “Yes, yes! Then today, I’ll be your little shadow.”

Having Xu Zhen accompany her was more than Sister Zhen Zhen could ask for.

Xing Yan would be busy today, and the wealthy woman and a few other friends were Alphas not ideal to stay too close to. After eliminating those options, Xu Zhen, a beta, was the safest choice.

Besides, Sister Zhen Zhen wanted to grow closer to Xu Zhen, so she took the opportunity to loop her arm through the other’s.

Xu Zhen glanced down but didn’t refuse.

The Omega quietly exhaled in relief.

Having successfully taken the first step, Sister Zhen Zhen grew bolder. And since Xu Zhen wasn’t difficult to get along with, by the time they arrived at the estate, the two were already as close as long-time confidantes.

An unfamiliar banquet, unfamiliar guests, Xu Zhen felt slightly out of place.

Sister Zhen Zhen felt the same, so she quickly pulled Xu Zhen through the crowd toward Xing Yan, greeting her warmly. “Ayan! Look who I brought!”

Hearing the voice, Xing Yan turned. Her gaze first swept over Sister Zhen Zhen before slowly settling on Xu Zhen. “Make yourself at home.”

Her tone remained icy, her entire demeanor radiating an unapproachable coldness. Xu Zhen nodded. “Thank you.”

The Omega was too distant and aloof, leaving Xu Zhen at a loss for words. Her bright eyes remained fixed on Xing Yan, not shifting away for even a moment.

Xing Yan frowned slightly.

She didn’t understand Xu Zhen’s intentions but could sense no malice from her.

Her beautiful eyes flickered as she met Xu Zhen’s gaze for a long moment before finally yielding, signaling Sister Zhen Zhen with a look to take her away. Sister Zhen Zhen scratched her eyebrow innocently. “Ayan, are you kicking us out right after we arrived?”

“If we leave, those people will just come bother you again.”

Xing Yan was highly sought after in the marriage market, with Alphas going all out to capture her attention. If not for the half-true rumors with Jiang Ruan keeping them temporarily at bay, she might have already been engaged to someone.

Mentioning those arrogant Alphas made Xing Yan’s brows furrow in instinctive disgust, her revulsion unconcealed.

Xu Zhen picked up on Sister Zhen Zhen’s hint and said, “I’d like to talk to you.”

“We have nothing to discuss,” the Omega retorted bluntly. “If you want to stay here, keep your mouth shut.”

Xing Yan had a bit of a temper, but that was only natural.

After all, who didn’t expect someone beautiful to have a little attitude?

Compared to those minor celebrities who acted like divas that she’d encountered before, Xing Yan was already very gentle and friendly.

Xu Zhen’s fair face broke into a polite smile. “Alright.”

Sister Zhen Zhen’s eyes darted rapidly as she kept glancing between the two women. The feared confrontation didn’t happen, and she let out a small sigh of relief. “Let me get you both some drinks.”

She volunteered eagerly, only to be stopped by Xing Yan. “Drinking random stuff here? Looks like you’re asking to be marked by someone.”

Sister Zhen Zhen’s shoulders slumped instantly. “Never mind then…”

The manor was indeed a chaotic mix of people, making it easy for trouble to arise. For safety’s sake, Sister Zhen Zhen had to suppress her cravings.

“We Omegas are just too fragile,” Sister Zhen Zhen couldn’t help but mutter under her breath. “The slightest carelessness, and those damned Alphas will mark us.”

“Can’t they just control themselves?”

Xu Zhen had no place in such conversations, she couldn’t fully relate to the two Omegas. But she was an excellent listener, quietly standing by.

Perhaps because Xu Zhen was present, Xing Yan didn’t chat much with Sister Zhen Zhen.

She was soon approached by someone and had to turn away to deal with those seemingly refined and elegant elite Alphas.

Sister Zhen Zhen instinctively shrank behind Xu Zhen. She had no plans to marry anytime soon and wanted nothing to do with other Alphas, instinctively resisting their aggressive nature.

Because of her movement, Xu Zhen quickly drew attention.

Someone recognized her and remarked with ambiguous tone, “Oh, isn’t this President Jiang’s wife?”

“Her name is Xu Zhen,” Sister Zhen Zhen retorted unhappily, immediately stepping in to clarify. “Your memory must be failing if you can’t even remember someone’s name.”

Xu Zhen was a celebrity who frequently trended online anyone who surfed the internet would have heard of her.

Sister Zhen Zhens blunt response carried subtle sarcasm, and the woman’s expression quickly soured. “I know her name is Xu Zhen. I was just showing respect!”

She tried to save face. “Since Mrs. Jiang is here, where’s President Jiang?”

“They’re not conjoined twins who have to stick together 24/7,” Sister Zhen Zhen fired back, her combat skills still sharp. “Why are you so obsessed with Jiang Ruan? Trying to steal Xu Zhen’s partner?”

This damn girl…

The socialite’s face cycled through several shades before she finally realized she wouldn’t gain anything here and left in a huff.

“Don’t mind them, Xu Zhen,” Sister Zhen Zhen said softly, trying to comfort her. “They have nothing better to do than gossip and stir up drama.”

“At events like these, they live for the spectacle.”

Sister Zhen Zhen kept making exaggerated faces at Xu Zhen, who chuckled. “I like to think I have a pretty good temper.”

“Well, if anyone says anything unpleasant later, don’t take it to heart.” With Xu Zhen and Xing Yan appearing together today, comparisons were inevitable.

Sister Zhen Zhen worried Xu Zhen might be upset, so she cautiously prepped her. “To me, you and Xing Yan are both beautiful in your own ways, each with your own strengths.”

When she spoke the latter part of her sentence, she didn’t deliberately avoid Xing Yan. Xing Yan casually glanced at her before her attention was forcibly drawn away by the Alpha who had approached her.

Xing Yan lowered her lashes slightly, her pupils—veiled by long eyelashes—betraying a hint of impatience.

Xu Zhen keenly noticed this and walked straight over to Xing Yan. “Mind if we talk privately?”

Both the unfamiliar Alpha and Xing Yan turned to look at Xu Zhen, who calmly met the former’s gaze. “Excuse me, thank you.”

Unable to make a scene, the Alpha could only reluctantly let Xu Zhen lead Xing Yan away. Sister Zhen Zhen quickly followed, chattering nonstop, “Honestly, some people have no self-awareness. His measly fortune isn’t even enough to fill the gaps between Yan’s teeth.”

Xu Zhen chuckled at this. “He’s from an average family?”

“In my opinion,yes,” Zhen zhen affirmed. “He should’ve looked in the mirror before hitting on an Omega. How could someone like Yan ever be within his reach?”

“Go wait for us over there,” Xing Yan abruptly cut Sister Zhen Zhen off.

Sister Zhen Zhen froze, her expression hesitant, but when Xing Yan shot her a glance, she didn’t dare delay any longer and quickly turned to leave, giving the two space.

“Speak. What exactly do you want?”

Xu Zhen shouldn’t have been here today,no one had invited her. Since she’d shown up uninvited and even stepped in to help, she must have an agenda.

Xing Yan had no patience for games. “I’ll give you one chance to be honest.”

Xing Yan was decisive and true to her word. After a moment’s thought, Xu Zhen spoke plainly, “I want to get to know you and be friends.”

The air fell silent for a beat, so still that the sound of a pin dropping could almost be heard.

Xing Yan stared at Xu Zhen expressionlessly for a long moment before letting out an ambiguous scoff. “You? With me?”

“Be friends?”

Support