Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 25.2

Zhu Yi loathed these comments.

Zhu Sui just smiled. But then she replied bluntly, “Our family has always been exceptional. The old man’s half a lifetime of military achievements—none of you can even compare.”

Arrogant? Maybe. But it was the truth—and it shut people up.

After presenting, Zhu Sui didn’t seem much different on the surface.

But privately, she pushed herself harder. She used to say that it was enough for Zhunian to be excellent, that she only needed to behave and not be a disgrace to the family. But after returning home, she held herself to the same impossible standards once reserved for Zhunian:

She had to be excellent. No—the best.

Though the family had paved a smooth road for her, she didn’t take it. Instead, she joined the National Security Bureau.

Two years later, she returned with a First-Class Merit Award.

Zhu Yi sighed. A little proud, but mostly… heartbroken.

“First-class merit. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. She’s only twenty-two. Most kids at twenty-two are still Second Lieutenants.”

“Ms. Song, you asked me if she’s a good match. Honestly… I don’t have a clear answer. When I was younger, I’d have said no without hesitation. But now…”

“It’s not just about Suisui. After losing two pregnancies, I’ve often thought: I don’t care what gender my child is—I just want them to be born safely. I just want a child with Rong Mo.”

“And as a mother, do you think I would love my child any less if they were Beta?”

“The answer is obvious, isn’t it?”

“In fact, since becoming a mother, I’ve come to agree even more with what Suisui once said: regardless of being A, B, or O, my child is still my child—an irreplaceable existence.”

“Everyone is unique. With AO presentations becoming rarer, Betas are beginning to hold real power in the military too. Maybe it won’t be long before A and O become relics of the past. Sounds a bit sensational, I know, but Ms. Song—you, as someone researching stabilizers, must know better than anyone…”

Song Zhen nodded. “I do.”

The prediction that Alphas and Omegas might one day vanish had been circulating for half a century. At first, it was dismissed as conspiracy. But with Omega fertility rates declining every year, and Betas—though harder to conceive—less likely to suffer from destabilizing hormonal phases…

What once seemed like wild speculation was now gradually gaining wider acceptance.

And working in pheromone research, Song Zhen knew all too well.

But still…

Song Zhen said firmly, “No, that won’t happen. ABO will continue to exist. There won’t be any gender extinction.”

Zhu Yi was taken aback. Song Zhen gave her a soft smile, and influenced by her calm assurance, Zhu Yi slowly smiled too.

After a moment, she chuckled awkwardly. “Look at me—pregnancy has made me so chatty. I just meant to say a few words, and instead I went on and on…”

She paused, then grew serious. “I just feel that Suisui’s been through so much. I don’t know how much she’s shared with you, but I hope you’ll take the time to really get to know her.”

Brushing her hair behind her ear, Zhu Yi lowered her head and gently rested her hand on her belly. Her voice softened. “And while you’re at it, get to know our family too. There’s a lot of gossip in District One, but I don’t want you hearing a distorted version. I’d rather tell you myself. After what happened with Zhunian, I think… no matter what happens between you and Suisui, the old man’s stance will be different.”

Zhu Yi smiled. “If you and Suisui truly love each other, you don’t need to worry too much.”

Song Zhen was speechless.

It took her a few seconds to realize that Zhu Yi’s long speech had been meant to comfort her.

She’d been worried Zhu Yi might disapprove of her and Suisui being together, but now it seemed Zhu Yi had misunderstood—thinking she was the one feeling anxious, fearing rejection from the Zhu family.

Ah… this…

Embarrassed, but also deeply moved by Zhu Yi’s warmth and sensitivity, Song Zhen felt a wave of emotion.

Her mind wandered. No wonder Zhu Sui, growing up in a family like this, had been so brave the first time they met—in that narrow alley, she hadn’t called the Association but had taken Song Zhen by the hand and led her out, shielding her without hesitation.

The image flickered in her mind, then—

Song Zhen, at the worst possible moment, thought of Cheng Lang.

She remembered how, back when Cheng Lang was still a Beta, she used to rant about the unfair treatment of Betas under the ABO system.

But now, as an Alpha, Cheng Lang had started looking down on girls like Zuo Tian.

Maybe… sometimes the problem didn’t lie in gender.

Maybe the problem… lay in the person.

Knock knock knock.

Suddenly, someone rapped on the door.

Zhu Yi called out, “Come in.”

The door opened.

Zhu Sui leaned casually against the frame, arms crossed, long limbs relaxed. She raised a brow. “Jie, I turn my back for one second and you’ve already snuck off with Ms. Song?”

She shut the door behind her and strolled in with deliberate slowness. “Taking off with my girlfriend without telling me… that’s not very polite, is it?”

The word girlfriend made Song Zhen’s face heat up.

Zhu Yi just laughed and shook her head.

Zhu Sui looked like she’d come to interrogate them, but seeing Song Zhen’s relaxed expression, she figured things must have gone well and didn’t press further.

After all, Zhu Yi was still pregnant.

Zhu Sui made a half-joking threat that if Zhu Yi didn’t give the baby a proper red envelope after birth, the little one would come crying to “Auntie Sui.”

The baby wouldn’t know what a red envelope was, but the strange little joke made both Song Zhen and Zhu Yi laugh.

Neither Zhu Yi nor Song Zhen brought up Zhunian again. With Zhu Sui there, the conversation shifted to the baby.

Before long, guests began arriving, and someone called Zhu Yi to the front.

The three of them returned to the living room.

There, Rong Mo had arrived, and Zhu Yi went off to greet people with him.

Soon, the banquet began. It was lavishly prepared and hosted at the Rong family’s suburban villa, which had a large garden and plenty of space. At the dinner table, Song Zhen was introduced to several new faces.

Zhu Sui occasionally reached over to place food in her bowl, and after a few times, everyone at the table picked up on their closeness.

After dinner, just like Zhu Sui had warned, Song Zhen was surrounded by a group of lively Omegas, asking about Zhu Yi’s recent incident.

After some chatting, a card table was brought out. Somehow—she wasn’t sure who started it—Song Zhen ended up sitting down to play.

It wasn’t until the rules were explained that Song Zhen snapped back to reality—

These rich Omegas were playing way too big.

Based on the stakes, one round could see wins or losses in the tens of thousands!

But she was already at the table, and she knew how to play—backing out now would look awkward.

As she hesitated, a hand landed gently on her shoulder and a glass of juice appeared in front of her.

Zhu Sui leaned in. “Jie, just play. Win or lose, I’ll cover it.”

A chorus of “oohs” came from the group.

Zhu Sui lifted her eyelids and smiled, sharp and confident. “What are you all so excited about? Bullying a newbie—is that something to be proud of?”

She said it so naturally, so confidently, that the others immediately felt awkward.

But someone soon piped up with a smirk, “So if Ms. Song loses big, it’s all on the second young lady?”

Zhu Sui replied, “When have I ever gone back on my word?”

Everyone got excited.

“Well then, you’re usually the one winning. This round we’re not going easy.”

“Come on, come on, I’m already pumped.”

“Ms. Song, let loose! She’s covering you—don’t hold back and save Zhu Sui any money!”

Song Zhen couldn’t help but laugh.

At this point, there was no getting out of it. She could only play along.

And so she played—five straight losses.

By the third, her head was spinning. These rich kids were way too good.

After the fifth round, Song Zhen was adamant. “I can’t keep going.”

But no one would let her leave. Those who’d sat at her table earlier saw her and Zhu Sui’s bond and teased her mercilessly, saying they wouldn’t stop until Zhu Sui’s wallet was empty.

Zhu Sui, who had wandered off to chat, heard the commotion and returned.

Song Zhen gave her a pleading, pitiful look. “Please let me go. I really can’t keep losing.”

It was all her money they were bleeding dry!

But no one would let her go.

Zhu Sui smiled, rolled her sleeves up a little, and pressed Song Zhen back into her seat. “Since everyone’s so insistent, let’s play.”

“I can’t—” Song Zhen was panicking.

“It’s okay, jie,” Zhu Sui said calmly, standing behind her. “I’ve got you.”

She scanned the group with narrowed eyes. “Since Song Zhen’s not confident, and I’m paying, I’ll step in to help. You all don’t mind, right?”

They didn’t. They were happy to keep playing with Zhu Sui footing the bill.

The next round, Song Zhen sat with trembling hands, practically forced to pick her cards. Zhu Sui stood behind her, whispering: “Don’t be nervous. We can afford to lose.”

That decadent, rich-girl statement made Song Zhen, a humble researcher, want to cry bl00d.

So wasteful! Who could afford to keep up with this?!

She gritted her teeth and continued playing. Then—at a crucial moment—she hesitated.

Zhu Sui reached over and drew a card from her hand, tossing it out.

The tide turned instantly.

Suddenly, Song Zhen understood the thrill of winning.

Across the table, the once-cheerful Omegas were visibly souring.

As the game reached its climax, all eyes were on Song Zhen. She stared at her hand, a bit stunned.

Zhu Sui leaned in close, her body pressing against her back. Her long fingers gently guided Song Zhen’s, flicking out the next card.

“Jie, play this one.”

They were too close. She could feel Zhu Sui’s breath against her neck. Song Zhen’s cheeks flushed with heat.

Just as Zhu Sui turned to flash her a smile, she sniffed—and her expression changed in an instant.

But only for a second.

She composed herself just as quickly.

Instead of stepping away, she leaned in closer, both hands braced on either side of Song Zhen, trapping her in an intimate posture.

It didn’t look like card playing anymore. It looked like flirting.

Song Zhen froze.

Zhu Sui picked another card and tossed it.

She whispered into Song Zhen’s ear, “Relax. Don’t be so tense.”

“Just hold still. One more round, and we’re leaving…”

Then, her voice dipped to a near-silent murmur—just for the two of them.

“I can smell your pheromones.”

The temporary mark was still there, so… her pheromones were leaking?

How was that possible?

Song Zhen’s mind went blank.

And then she realized, far too late—

Her heat had arrived.