Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 46

“Could you accompany me back to the old house in a couple of days?” Jiang Ruan asked in a pleading tone.

Xu Zhen didn’t hesitate. “Sorry, I don’t have time.”

Her refusal was blunt, and Jiang Ruan fell silent for a moment. “A few days ago, I saw a set of jewelry at an auction that would suit you perfectly. I thought you’d really like it.”

As she spoke, Jiang Ruan opened the gift box on the coffee table. In an instant, dazzling light spilled out, radiant and breathtaking.

The diamonds in this set were exquisitely cut, and the gemstones were of the highest quality. Even Xu Zhen, who knew little about jewelry, could tell it was worth a fortune—let alone its actual price tag.

“Sorry.” Xu Zhen remained unmoved, still refusing outright.

Jiang Ruan was at a loss, unable to sway Xu Zhen. Finally, she had no choice but to bring up Lan Boyue. “Mom misses you. There are some things she wants to tell you in person.”

Xu Zhen couldn’t refuse Lan Boyue—she had always been kind to her. So, for Lan Boyue’s sake, Xu Zhen reluctantly agreed. “Fine. You can leave now.”

Her dismissal was especially cold, but Jiang Ruan was thick-skinned. Instead of leaving, she pulled Xu Zhen in front of the mirror and personally fastened the jewelry around her neck. “It suits you.”

“Wear it tomorrow when you walk the red carpet.”

“No.” Xu Zhen studied her reflection—glittering, radiant, almost too dazzling to look at. “I already have a brand sponsorship.”

Backing out of a prior agreement at the last minute wouldn’t do her any favors.

“Leave it to me.” With just one phone call, Jiang Ruan effortlessly resolved the issue. Xu Zhen gave her a complicated look. “If you’re so bored, go back to the office and work overtime.”

Jiang Ruan knew Xu Zhen had no patience for her and wanted her gone, but she pretended not to notice. “But I want to see you.”

When an Alpha looked at someone with deep affection, their eyes shimmered with an almost hypnotic allure. Xu Zhen met her gaze briefly before looking away. “Then keep wanting.”

She showed Jiang Ruan no mercy, but instead of getting angry, Jiang Ruan only grew clingier, sticking to Xu Zhen like a shadow.

Xu Zhen remained indifferent, going about her business as if Jiang Ruan were nothing more than air.

This was already a good outcome. Jiang Ruan quietly sighed in relief. The fact that Xu Zhen hadn’t exploded in anger or resisted her presence and touch was an unexpected blessing.

But she knew better than to push too hard. Over the next few days, Jiang Ruan carefully balanced her approach—keeping herself on Xu Zhen’s mind without becoming so overbearing that Xu Zhen grew annoyed.

To Xu Zhen, Jiang Ruan was like an attentive assistant, always there to fulfill her needs at just the right moment.

So what did that make the old Jiang Ruan?

Had she simply not loved her enough? Had she not cared enough?

A mocking smile flickered in Xu Zhen’s eyes, her attitude still unyielding—even on the day she accompanied Jiang Ruan back to the old house.

Jiang Ruan mentioned that they weren’t the only ones coming to the old residence today—some relatives would also be present. To avoid giving anyone cause for gossip, Xu Zhen dressed simply but appropriately. She chose a tasteful outfit and, after some consideration, decided to wear the antique necklace she had bought in a small town abroad, letting it rest against her slender, pale neck.

The necklace was a muted gold, perfectly complementing Xu Zhen’s all-black attire.

Jiang Ruan didn’t comment much on Xu Zhen’s outfit. She dutifully drove them to the old residence, where Tang Yehe immediately rushed out to greet them. “Sister Xu Zhen!”

The girl was unusually enthusiastic toward Xu Zhen, who, fully aware of the reason behind it, simply nodded without pressing further. “No school today?”

“I have classes, but I took the day off,” Tang Yehe said cheerfully. “The moment I heard you were coming, I asked for leave and rushed home. Don’t worry, with me here, no one will dare bully you even a little.”

“If anyone dares say anything bad about you, I’ll shut them down on the spot. And don’t even think about refusing—I’m just fulfilling a promise. If I fail at this, Xu Tingyuan will tear me to pieces, literally shred me into eight parts!”

Her animated speech made Xu Zhen chuckle. “Got it. Are they all here yet? How many people?”

Tang Yehe immediately spilled everything she knew, and after listening, Xu Zhen had a clearer picture, her expression growing even more composed.

Picking on the younger generation was an old trick, but this time, with Tang Yehe around, all the scheming elders were thoroughly scolded by her.

Unable to argue with a junior—and unable to out-talk her—they could only swallow their anger and fall silent, sulking.

Just as the atmosphere grew awkward and tense, Pu Shuangquan finally made her appearance. Recently, she had been riding high, basking in success, her complexion glowing with vitality.

Xu Zhen’s gaze swept over her and quickly landed on a familiar face beside her, Du Yunhan, whom she had met once before.

Du Yunhan soon noticed Xu Zhen as well, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face before she forced a polite smile and nodded in greeting.

Xu Zhen returned the smile, her suspicions confirmed.

So, she really is the new wife Pu Shuangquan has chosen for Jiang Ruan.

The thought had barely formed when Jiang Ruan, having extricated herself from another conversation, hurried over to Xu Zhen’s side and whispered, “I have no interest in her.”

“I signed the divorce papers because I respect your wishes.”

“I don’t like her, and I have no intention of pursuing anything with her.”

Xu Zhen remained unfazed. This wasn’t entirely up to Jiang Ruan—she knew all too well how Pu Shuangquan operated. If pressured, could Jiang Ruan truly resist and stand firm?

Between filial duty, personal gain, and emotions, most people would choose the first two.

The Beta’s reaction remained indifferent, leaving Jiang Ruan flustered and helpless. Meanwhile, Pu Shuangquan finally noticed Xu Zhen and, surprisingly, offered her a smile. “Let me introduce you—this is Miss Du, the granddaughter of an old friend of mine.”

Xu Zhen stepped forward politely. “Hello.”

Du Yunhan replied, then Pu Shuangquan added, “Yunhan is a good girl. You should get along well with her in the future and not be jealous over petty things.”

The old lady’s words were already quite blunt. Xu Zhen lowered her lashes, about to inform her that they were already divorced, but Jiang Ruan interrupted, “Grandmother, I would be jealous.”

Pu Shuangquan looked puzzled, clearly not understanding Jiang Ruan’s meaning.

“I don’t like my wife getting too close to other women. I’d be insanely jealous even if there were a female fly near her, let alone a person.”

Xu Zhen: “…”

Jiang Ruan’s shocking words left Pu Shuangquan momentarily frozen.

Du Yunhan was the first to react—she wanted to laugh but felt it inappropriate, so she quickly turned her head away, stifling her amusement.

Pu Shuangquan, slow to process, grew furious. Just then, Qin Liaoxing happened to appear, instantly reminding the old woman of her daughter’s past misdeeds. Unable to contain her resentment toward Qin Liaoxing, she redirected her anger at Jiang Ruan.

She berated Jiang Ruan harshly, not caring that other relatives were present.

Jiang Ruan listened quietly without rebuttal, only speaking up once Pu Shuangquan had finished scolding her: “I only want this one wife.”

“No one else but her.”

“Outrageous!” Pu Shuangquan raised her voice. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve schemed to pave the way for you, how many obstacles I’ve cleared?”

“To ensure you go further and rise higher, I’ve exhausted every means—”

Qin Liaoxing suddenly appeared. “Mom, bullying kids again?” she drawled lazily. “With that temper, you’ll give yourself a stroke one day.”

Her own daughter’s insolence only poured fuel on the fire, pushing the old woman’s fury to unprecedented heights.

Unable to discipline her daughter or granddaughter, she finally turned her wrath on Xu Zhen. “You, answer me. If Jiang Ruan had a brighter future ahead, would you be willing to let her go for her own good?”

“Tell me.”

Xu Zhen met the old woman’s furious gaze and opened her mouth to respond.

“She wouldn’t,” Jiang Ruan cut in again. “And neither would I. Grandmother, please respect our choice.”

Jiang Ruan remained composed, but years of holding a high position had given her an undeniable presence. She stood her ground against Pu Shuangquan without yielding.

Daughter and granddaughter each more rebellious than the last. Years of pent-up resentment boiled over, and just as Pu Shuangquan was about to unleash her fury on Xu Zhen, she suddenly caught sight of the necklace around Xu Zhen’s neck.

Instantly, her expression froze, as if she had seen a ghost.

“Where did you get that necklace?!” she demanded hysterically after a long pause. “Tell me, where did it come from?!”

Everyone was startled by her outburst. Xu Zhen sensed there was a story behind the necklace and quickly explained its origin in detail.

At the same time, she pulled out her phone and showed an old photograph she had taken. “Is this an old friend of yours?”

Pu Shuangquan stared blankly at the screen, her eyes reddening in an instant. She muttered incoherently, lost in her own thoughts.

Qin Liaoxing frowned. “Mom, are you okay?”

“Don’t you actually have a stroke…” Before the words could fully leave her mouth, Pu Shuangquan had already dashed out like a gust of wind, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Qin Liaoxing scratched his head, “Maybe not a stroke, more like a sudden fit.”

“Never mind her. Today I’ve cooked Qin Qin’s favorite dishes. Come on, you must be hungry? Let’s hurry to the table.” Qin Liaoxing warmly ushered Xu Zhen to sit, who had no choice but to comply.

As they waited for Qin Liaoxing to bring the steaming dishes to the table, Xu Zhen unconsciously touched the dark golden necklace around her neck. Pu Shuangquan… was she now rushing to that small town abroad?

Meanwhile, aboard a private helicopter, Pu Shuangquan opened an old pocket watch she always carried with her. Glaring at the photo of a young woman inside, she hissed, “Qin Aojun, you’d better not let me catch you, or I’ll make you regret it.”

“Fifty years ago, you took all my savings abroad and then vanished on me. You betrayed me and left me to fend for myself. Now, at last, our long-standing grudges will be settled.”

“When we meet, you’d better have a satisfactory explanation ready for me.”

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