Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 2

Just as Song Zhen stepped out of the Military Medical University’s core laboratory, test report in hand, her phone rang.

The one answering the call was none other than the S-class Alpha officer she had just helped with the report review.

The woman had long, elegant fingers and a commanding posture. She answered the call coolly, “Hello?”

On the other end, the atmosphere was loud and lively.

“Zhu Sui, you’re back in the country? Seriously, not even a heads-up? Got time today? Come to Jiangxia Road—we haven’t gathered in ages. Let us throw a welcome party!”

The woman lowered her eyes briefly. “What time and exact location?”

That was clearly a yes.

“After work, of course. Let me check with the others…”

When the clock hit the end of the workday, Song Zhen was already packed up.

Zou Tian was shocked. “You? Leaving work on time? Are you feeling okay?”

Then she realized what was going on and laughed. “Ah, I get it. Didn’t you say Cheng Lang’s project is about to enter clinical trials? Our lab’s tied to hers, so we’re ramping up too. Weren’t you the one preaching that every day we save in research could ease patients’ suffering?”

Song Zhen looked a little embarrassed. “It’s a quiet day. Oh—Sweetie, want to come shopping with me? I haven’t bought clothes in ages, and your taste is great…”

“Wait, shopping? But I thought Cheng Lang—”

“She said no need to wait up. Her debriefing will run late, so she’s staying at the apartment near the institute. It’s fine.”

Truth was, Song Zhen wanted to look her best when they reunited. She didn’t say that out loud, of course.

“I heard there’s a new ice cream shop on Jiangxia Road. My treat…” she added, coaxing.

With a mix of bribery and pleading, she finally got Zou Tian to come along.

An hour later, in the dessert shop, Zou Tian scooped a bite of ice cream and closed her eyes in bliss. “So good!”

“I’m paying. Don’t hold back,” Song Zhen smiled.

After two shared platters, Zou Tian leaned back into the sofa, belly full and content.

“Burp~ This is amazing. You have to bring Cheng Lang here next time.”

Song Zhen nodded with a gentle smile. “Sure.”

“She’s been overseas for two years. Wonder how she’s changed…” Zou Tian said thoughtfully. “Even though she’s an Alpha, she’s always treated you so well—never arrogant, genuinely in love…”

“But Zhen, not to be blunt, you’ve been such a workaholic these past two years. Even when she had holidays but stayed for the project, you buried yourself in the lab and never visited her abroad…”

The worry didn’t last long.

“Then again, you’ve contributed so much to her research. Without you, she wouldn’t be where she is. And her mother, oh my god—”

Right then, Song Zhen’s phone buzzed.

It was Cheng Lang’s mother.

Zou Tian slapped her own mouth. “I jinxed it!”

Suppressing laughter, Song Zhen answered.

“Xiao Song, I saw on the news Langlang returned today? She’s always too busy to call home—you could’ve reminded her…”

Cheng’s mother had a loud voice; even Zou Tian nearby could hear every word.

Song Zhen softened her tone, “Mom, the military arranged her return. I only found out this morning. I haven’t seen her yet—she’s still reporting at the institute.”

There was a pause. Cheng’s mother didn’t scold her, just sighed about Langlang never thinking of them…

Song Zhen was used to these complaints. They didn’t sting anymore.

But then came the usual sting in the tail.

“Now that Langlang’s back, you should focus less on work and take care of her more. In a marriage, one capable person is enough. Her job is important—so you should prioritize the home!”

“Oh, and you’re a Beta. You two should start trying for a child. If it doesn’t work naturally, go for an artificial embryo. With birthrates so low, and your lab specializes in this stuff anyway—”

Song Zhen corrected her gently, “Mom, our formula is for pregnant women, not—”

“It’s all the same. The medical resources at your university are top-notch. Don’t delay. If Langlang had chosen an Omega, I wouldn’t have to worry about grandkids!”

The call ended.

Song Zhen sighed, while Zou Tian exploded. “What does she mean by that?!”

“She’s basically saying if you don’t give her a grandchild, it’s your fault? What, Cheng Lang’s some imperial heir now?”

Song Zhen smiled wearily. “You’ve known she never liked me.”

They had been childhood neighbors. After Cheng Lang differentiated as a high-level Alpha, her mother became obsessed with marrying her into an elite Omega family.

Back then, Cheng’s mother had treated her kindly. But when Cheng Lang introduced Song Zhen as her girlfriend, the woman’s face had turned to stone.

“I know, but still—what nonsense. And what does she mean ‘support her at home’? Without you, Cheng Lang’s research wouldn’t be half as successful. You cracked key breakthroughs yourself!”

“And artificial embryo procedures are brutal! My own parents wouldn’t let me—”

“Alright, alright,” Song Zhen interrupted. “I know you care. But she’s not in our lives. I married Cheng Lang. That’s what matters.”

She smiled sincerely. “Didn’t you say it yourself? Cheng Lang treats me well. That’s what counts.”

Zou Tian hesitated but said nothing more, deciding not to ruin her friend’s mood.

When they finally parted ways past 9 p.m., Zou Tian sent her some medical articles on fertility:

#The risks of artificial embryo procedures for Betas#

#Infertility is rising worldwide—childless couples to increase#

Clearly still stewing, she wanted Song Zhen to send them to Cheng’s mother. Song Zhen only chuckled and said she would.

As she walked down the quiet, tree-lined path, shopping bags in hand, the late spring leaves rustled in the wind. It reminded her of Jiangcheng—the hometown she shared with Cheng Lang.

Memories rose unbidden.

They were classmates from middle school to university. It was Cheng Lang who had fallen first.

Song Zhen would never forget the red-faced confession: “I like you.”

So simple. So pure. So true.

After they got together, Cheng Lang soon differentiated into an Alpha.

She had trembled, whispering:

“Zhenzhen, I like you—it’s not about gender.”

“Even if you stay a B forever and can’t have children, I’d still love you. Please… don’t leave me.”

Back then, who would’ve thought she’d be the Alpha?

Thinking about those memories brought warmth to Song Zhen’s heart. Cheng Lang’s mother faded to irrelevance.

She thought of what Zou Tian said earlier—maybe it was time to prioritize their relationship more now that Cheng Lang was back. After all, it had been two years.

Their calls had dwindled. At first, it was every few days. Then just once a week. Lately, even months went by without a word.

Unknowingly, she’d arrived at the apartment building.

Swiping into the elevator, she activated the smart home system—a precaution installed by Cheng Lang before leaving. It detected motion, managed security, even monitored if cleaning was needed.

Ding. The elevator doors opened.

Her phone connected to the Wi-Fi, and she noticed something odd.

Someone was in the bedroom. And the lock had been accessed recently.

Had Cheng Lang returned early?

Excited, she rushed in without checking the surveillance feed.

She dropped her bags and froze. Despite being a Beta, she had years of experience working with pheromones.

The air wasn’t just tinged with lime—Cheng Lang’s scent—it was saturated with something stronger.

Something sweet. Entwined.

Strawberries.

She looked up. The apartment was dark, except for a warm glow leaking from the bedroom door—slightly ajar.

She approached slowly.

The scent grew thicker.

“Mmm… harder… ahh…”

“That’s it, you’re amazing… keep going…”

“You minx. Feels good?”

A sultry voice she didn’t recognize.

Then a familiar, breathy murmur—Cheng Lang’s voice.

Song Zhen’s mind went blank.

Before she realized it, she was standing at the door. Shaking. She pushed it open.

Lime and strawberry pheromones flooded her senses.

Her pupils contracted in shock.

All those sweet memories shattered. Everything she believed in broke apart.

It looked like nothing had changed.

But she knew—everything had.

The room. The bed. Two bodies tangled naked in betrayal.

Cheng Lang’s voice called her name.

She tried to touch her.

Song Zhen shoved her away.

And then doubled over.

Dry heaving.

She was going to be sick.

Not from food.

From the sheer disgust of what she had just seen.