Divorced from the Cold CEO Who Lived by the Rules (GL, ABO) - Chapter 8

Jiang Ruan ultimately didn’t get the answer she wanted.

Xu Tingyuan, fearing Xu Zhen would continue to be hurt, hastily called Xu Susu over to interrupt the intense gaze between the two. “Don’t just stand there, come in and sit down first.”

Her voice was gentle. “What would you like to drink, President Jiang?”

“Plain water is fine.” Jiang Ruan raised her eyes and nodded politely. “Thank you.”

Xu Susu replied with a casual “no problem” before pulling her daughter away. Under Xu Tingyuan’s watchful gaze, Xu Zhen slowly fastened her belt back around her waist. “You don’t plan on getting a divorce, do you?”

“No.” Jiang Ruan’s stance was clear. “There are no fundamental issues between us.”

Xu Zhen scoffed, not bothering to argue.

Jiang Ruan closed the gift box and casually placed it on the living room coffee table. After three years of marriage, she knew Xu Susu and Xu Tingyuan well, both were simple, honest people who wouldn’t meddle with Xu Zhen’s personal belongings.

“Here, water.” Xu Tingyuan sulkily handed over the cold boiled water Jiang Ruan had asked for, her attitude far from friendly.

Jiang Ruan thanked her as usual but only took two sips before setting the glass down. She then stood and headed toward Bai Zhen’s bedroom. “I’ll go check on Mom and chat with her for a bit.”

Xu Zhen remained indifferent, but Xu Tingyuan grew anxious. “Sis?”

“Let her go.” Xu Zhen’s gaze lingered on Jiang Ruan’s tall, retreating figure, her heartbeat accelerating unconsciously.

The affection in her eyes when she focused on Jiang Ruan was unmistakable. Xu Tingyuan scratched her brow, hesitating to speak. Holy cow! Who would’ve thought that the actress known for playing heartbreakers was actually a lovesick fool in real life!

Xu Tingyuan inwardly rolled her eyes love really was blind.

Xu Zhen wasn’t particularly interested in whatever conversation Jiang Ruan and Bai Zhen were having. Right now, she was more concerned about her career. With only half a month left on her contract with Jiahua Entertainment, she knew the company would resort to even more ruthless tactics to suppress her in these final days.

Jiang Ruan might not be lying given her and Xing Yan’s high status, they had no reason to personally involve themselves in smearing Xu Zhen’s reputation.

Xing Yan was still single, and an Omega’s reputation was crucial. Xu Zhen believed the most Xing Yan would do was turn a blind eye to the media’s actions, using it to test Jiang Ruan’s stance.

Anything beyond that was unlikely.

So, aside from Jiahua Entertainment, Xu Zhen couldn’t think of anyone else quietly fueling this fire behind the scenes.

Jiahua was cunning. When contract renewal negotiations failed half a year ago, they immediately schemed to use Xing Yan to sabotage Xu Zhen’s marriage, break down her mental defenses, and force her to cling to the company as her last lifeline.

But who knew Xu Zhen wouldn’t take the bait and was dead set on leaving?

So they escalated, fabricating salacious rumors about Jiang Ruan to make Xu Zhen believe her wife had fallen out of love.

As Jiang Ruan had said, there were no fundamental conflicts between them. If Xu Zhen had lost her head or impulsively filed for divorce, what awaited her would be an even fiercer siege from Jiahua.

By then, not only would Xu Zhen’s career suffer a devastating blow, but her personal life would likely be thrown into chaos as well.

On the other hand, as long as Xu Zhen and Jiang Ruan remained married, Jiahua wouldn’t dare act recklessly or push things too far. Jiang Ruan’s presence served as a powerful deterrent most people wouldn’t lightly oppose her.

After realizing Jiang Ruan’s role as a sort of “get-out-of-jail-free card,” Xu Zhen let out a quiet sigh.

Jiang Ruan and Bai Zhen didn’t stay alone together for long. After about ten minutes, Jiang Ruan reappeared. Xu Tingyuan had already been pulled away by Xu Susu, leaving only Xu Zhen leisurely sipping tea in the living room.

“I’ve assured Mom that something like this won’t happen again,” Jiang Ruan reported before shifting the topic. “There’s a gathering on my side tonight. Will you come with me?”

“The invitees include me, Ayan, and a few other friends.”

Xu Zhen instinctively wanted to refuse, but at the last moment, she changed her mind. “I’ll go.” She observed Jiang Ruan’s reaction. “But they didn’t invite me. Won’t I be intruding if I show up uninvited?”

Jiang Ruan shook her head. “You’re my wife, we’re one. They won’t mind.”

Xu Zhen replied with a simple “Fine,” then added, “You can go attend to your business now.”

Her dismissal was obvious, yet Jiang Ruan didn’t leave. Instead, she moved closer and sat beside Xu Zhen. “I’ve cleared my schedule for today. Right now, soothing you is my priority.”

As the Alpha drew near, Xu Zhen’s expression and body gradually stiffened.

She crossed her legs, resting her wrists on her knees, and instinctively tried to shift away to create distance only to be stopped by Jiang Ruan. “It’s been a while since we last saw each other.”

A faint fragrance drifted from Jiang Ruan as she spoke. Out of the corner of her eye, Xu Zhen caught sight of the woman’s porcelain-white skin and elegant knuckles, as if meticulously sculpted by the Gods, enough to stir the imagination.

“Not really,” Xu Zhen feigned composure. “Haven’t we always lived like this?”

Jiang Ruan’s expression turned serious. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, “Are you criticizing me for not spending enough time with you before?”

“You’re misunderstanding,” Xu Zhen pressed a hand to her restless heart. “I’m just stating facts.”

Whether Xu Zhen was being truthful or not, Jiang Ruan assured her, “I’m almost done with my work. Once this period is over, I’ll make more time for you.”

After a pause, she added, “And I’ll take you with me more often to various events.”

Xu Zhen found this odd, Jiang Ruan had never considered such things before. If Xu Zhen didn’t speak up, Jiang Ruan would simply ignore her quiet expectations.

Had Bai Zhen demanded it just now?

Speculating about the reason for Jiang Ruan’s unusual behavior, Xu Zhen didn’t respond immediately. Jiang Ruan tilted her head slightly, her gaze slowly settling on the Beta’s cheeks, flushed like the hues of twilight.

Her skin was flawless and smooth as cream, glowing with a pearlescent sheen.

A few stray strands of dark hair curled rebelliously, cascading along her jawline to her slender neck, quietly outlining an intoxicating, indescribable dream.

Xu Zhen suddenly noticed that Jiang Ruan’s gaze had grown far too predatory. Without a word, she uncrossed her arms and legs, bracing her hands on the sofa to stand and leave.

Jiang Ruan reached out to stop her, her throat moving slightly. “I took an inhibitor.”

Xu Zhen turned back, wary and confused. “And?”

“But it didn’t work.”

“If it doesn’t work, go sue the pharmaceutical company. Why come to me?” Xu Zhen played dumb, deliberately giving irrelevant replies. “If one injection doesn’t work, try two. If two don’t work, try three.”

“Just keep injecting more eventually one will take effect.”

Jiang Ruan was usually cold and aloof, but now she couldn’t help laughing at Xu Zhen’s words. “You know perfectly well what I need right now isn’t suppressants, but my wife.”