Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules - Chapter 48

Xu Zhen’s schedule had been overwhelmingly busy lately, leaving her barely any time to eat. Despite this, she still managed to see Jiang Ruan every single day.

With a calm expression, she stared at the attentive Alpha for a long moment before sighing quietly. “How are you feeling now?”

“Huh?” Jiang Ruan looked up blankly, pausing her hands as she peeled shrimp. “I’m fine. I enjoy serving you, in every way.”

Xu Zhen was momentarily speechless. “That’s not what I meant. I’m asking how your body feels now that you’re neither fully Alpha nor Beta anymore.”

“It’s alright,” Jiang Ruan replied seriously after realizing the question. “At least Omega pheromones don’t affect me at all now, and I don’t get aggressive when I smell other Alphas’ pheromones either.”

“To me, pheromones are just perfumes with different scents.”

Xu Zhen nodded slightly, somewhat relieved.

Jiang Ruan placed the peeled shrimp onto Xu Zhen’s plate and feigned grievance. “So you finally care about me. I thought your heart was made of stone.”

“I’ve been part of this experiment for two years. There are basically no side effects now.”

“Two years?” Xu Zhen’s voice rose involuntarily. “You kept this from me for two whole years?”

When it came to deception, Jiang Ruan was quick to admit fault. “I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you right away because I was afraid you’d disagree with the experiment… and that you only liked Alphas.”

Since it was already a done deal, Xu Zhen saw no point in dwelling on it. She closed her eyes briefly, steadying her emotions. “Xing Yan is the same as you?”

“Of course. She’s one of the lead researchers for this project. Back then, she used her own body for the initial trials to gather the most accurate data, then repeatedly adjusted the approach.”

Jiang Ruan added, “This is her major field of study, her primary research focus. She sacrificed a lot to make it work.”

There was no denying that Xing Yan was an exceptionally “ruthless” person, but Xu Zhen admired that ruthlessness. Without her determination and resolve, the status of Betas wouldn’t have changed today.

Remembering Xing Yan’s apology that day, Xu Zhen forced herself not to dwell on it. “I see.”

The Beta didn’t seem particularly interested in the topic, so Jiang Ruan didn’t elaborate further. She only mentioned briefly, “Many Omegas have undergone the procedure now, and the post-op results have been excellent.”

“Because of this, A-Yan’s chances in the upcoming council election are pretty much secured.”

Xing Yan’s breakthrough had altered the circumstances for Omegas and, indirectly, elevated the status of Betas. With the support of these two major groups, it would be nearly impossible for her to lose.

As someone who knew Xing Yan’s past, Xu Zhen genuinely felt happy for her success.

She smiled faintly. “Congratulations to her in advance, then.”

Jiang Ruan subtly observed Xu Zhen’s expression, confirming that her brows were relaxed and her mood seemed decent before cautiously testing the waters. “Then… should we all get together sometime? Zhen zhen keeps saying she wants to see you.”

“We’ll see.” Xu Zhen’s tone cooled at the mention of meeting up. “I’m too busy lately. No time.”

It seemed she still wasn’t planning to forgive Xing Yan. Jiang Ruan lowered her eyelids, peeling shrimp for Xu Zhen until the meal was finished, then sent a gloating emoji: “She rejected you.”

“She still won’t forgive you. You’ll have to think of another way.”

Xing Yan: “…”

“What are you gloating about? As if she’s forgiven you either.”

“One lick of your lips would probably poison you to death,” Jiang Ruan fired back. “Stop bickering with me and think of something you’ve always been full of terrible ideas.”

Xing Yan smirked at the message. “Even if I think of something, I won’t tell you. Go kneel and beg for her forgiveness yourself.”

Jiang Ruan replied impassively, “How did you know kneeling worked last time? I got dinner out of it.”

Xing Yan: “?”

After casually shattering Xing Yan’s composure, Jiang Ruan set her phone aside and returned to doting on Xu Zhen. Soon, however, Qin Liaoxing called: “Get back here! Your grandmother’s lost her mind!”

Jiang Ruan was puzzled. “Stroke or brain hemorrhage?”

“Dementia? no, wait, she’s gone crazy.” Qin Liaoxing nearly got derailed by Jiang Ruan’s question. “She hauled a massive rock back from who-knows-where and won’t let anyone see it.”

“Wait!” Qin Liaoxing’s voice suddenly rose as if she’d seen a ghost. “There’s also a coffin.”

A coffin? Understanding dawned on Jiang Ruan. “Is it Qin Aojun? Your birth mother, my other grandmother?”

“Probably.” After a brief silence, Qin Liaoxing let out a dramatic wail and threw herself forward. “Mom! My real mom! After all these years, I’ve finally found you!”

“Everyone said I was motherless you have no idea how hard my life’s been!”

Qin Liaoxing was being deliberately obnoxious. Pu Shuangquan, who had been immersed in grief, was instantly infuriated. “Get lost! Do you think I’ve been dead all these years?”

“Why didn’t I just toss you in the trash to fend for yourself?!”

Pu Shuangquan was seething. Qin Liaoxing only raised her voice louder. “Mom, did you hear that? Your beloved wife wants to throw your precious daughter in the garbage!”

“My life’s been so miserable no one ever loved me, and my own mother nearly killed me!”

She squeezed out two fake tears, looking genuinely aggrieved.

Pu Shuangquan scoffed, unable to hold back her curses. “You damn Beagle-possessed brat! Stay away from Aojun! Don’t you dare touch her!”

“I won’t.” Despite her antics, Qin Liaoxing knew her limits. She stopped before the coffin and asked earnestly, “Mom, what’s going on here?”

“Is she… already reincarnated?”

The question was pointless. Pu Shuangquan ignored her. “I’m going to find the people who killed her and make them pay!”

With her immense power now, uncovering the truth for her lover was effortless. Years of tangled emotions had turned to fury, and Pu Shuangquan mobilized every connection she had.

In less than a week, she identified Qin Aojun’s killers and even caught the culprit behind Xu Zhen’s near-drowning in the process.

Upon hearing the news,Xu Zhen felt a complex mix of emotions. All along, Pu Shuangquan’s hatred had simply stemmed from feeling unloved.

With the misunderstanding resolved, once she realized she too had been loved, she transformed into a caring elder.

Both perpetrators were apprehended, and the truth came to light.

Xu Zhen had been implicated by Xing Yan, targeted by Xing Yan’s enemies. Although Xing Yan had kept her movements well concealed, astute individuals still pieced together clues and chose Xu Zhen as a means to retaliate against her.

The truth behind Qin Aojun’s murder was far simpler her classmate had coveted Qin Aojun’s academic placement. When Qin Aojun refused to yield, the other party resorted to hiring a killer.

This not only allowed Qin Aojun’s death to be disguised as an accident, keeping the perpetrator’s hands clean, but also ensured they secured the coveted opportunity.

Years later, the murderer had risen to a high position and built a large family. Consumed by fury, Pu Shuangquan exposed the crime, finally securing the posthumous recognition Qin Aojun deserved.

Though Qin Aojun had long passed, thanks to Pu Shuangquan’s relentless efforts, she became widely mourned online as one of history’s greatest tragedies.

A top student selected for an overseas exchange program fifty years ago… Had she not been murdered, she would undoubtedly have become a leading figure in her field today. Who wouldn’t feel regret hearing such a story?

The wealthy family’s love story reached a happy ending, with Pu Shuangquan even considering adapting her romance with Qin Aojun into a television series or a book.

The elderly woman, now occupied with this new pursuit, stopped meddling in the younger generation’s affairs, and Qin Liaoxing let her be.

For Xu Zhen, the fact that Pu Shuangquan no longer insisted on introducing Jiang Ruan to new women was cause for celebration.

Lately, Jiang Ruan had been exceptionally attentive, Xu Zhen had never experienced such gentle, considerate treatment from her before. Watching Jiang Ruan fuss over her, Xu Zhen felt a faint ripple in her heart. “Not busy?”

“A little,” Jiang Ruan replied. “But I delegated all non-essential tasks.”

Those who can’t lead a team end up working themselves to death. Determined to win back her wife, Jiang Ruan handed most responsibilities to trusted subordinates to free up time for Xu Zhen.

Xu Zhen understood her intentions but refrained from comment. Sometimes, she thought divorce wasn’t so bad no obligations, no need to remain loyal.

Without those so-called shackles, their interactions felt lighter, more natural, even sweeter, as if they were dating again.

She even regretted not divorcing sooner, sparing herself unnecessary suffering.

People only learn to cherish what they’ve lost. Perhaps Jiang Ruan truly had her reasons, but Xu Zhen firmly believed partners should be honest with each other, not conceal things under the guise of goodwill.

She understood Jiang Ruan but couldn’t accept such behavior.

As for Xing Yan, she later extended olive branches to Xu Zhen, but Xu Zhen never accepted. They maintained superficial politeness, with Xu Zhen sending a courteous congratulatory message when Xing Yan was elected to the senate nothing more.

Free from Pu Shuangquan’s interference, Xu Zhen’s career flourished. As more Omegas chose to break free from societal constraints and live ordinary lives, Xu Zhen’s popularity surpassed even Xuelong’s, cementing her status as the undisputed top female star.

With her exceptional skills, outstanding looks, and superb acting, calling her a “top-tier star” was no exaggeration.

When Xu Zhen swept major awards, she was often asked about her marital status, always brushing off the questions. Eventually, people began to suspect something was amiss, and rumors spread online that Xu Zhen and Jiang Ruan’s marriage had fallen apart.

Xu Zhen remained silent, while Jiang Ruan, cornered by reporters with no way out, finally responded directly: “I’m trying to win her back.”

The public found it amusing. “Cheating brings momentary joy, but winning your wife back is hell.”
Xu Zhen glanced at the netizens’ teasing, but her attention was quickly drawn to Jiang Ruan, who came rain or shine every day to attend to her. “Give me another chance, okay?”

Okay? Xu Zhen shook her head. “We’ll see, depending on your performance.”

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