Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 39.2

He sighed. “It’s just… she ended up differentiating as an Alpha. She’s too outstanding, really. Sometimes, even if a relationship is your own choice, we still live in a society with expectations. No wonder her mom keeps picking at you. People… they always want to compare.”

Compare, judge, weigh worth.

And to the Cheng family, by those standards, Song Zhen—an ordinary Beta—would never be good enough.

And that, tragically, couldn’t be denied.

He sighed, then seemed to think of something and relaxed again.

“But like I always say, it’s your own life. Let people say whatever they want—what matters is that Langlang treats you well and that you’re both happy. That’s the most important thing, not what others think.”

“Her mother may not be the easiest person to get along with, but you don’t live with her. You chose to marry Langlang. As long as you’re doing well, that’s all that matters. As for basic courtesy to elders—just do what’s necessary. If she crosses the line, let Langlang talk to her mother. You don’t need to get involved and end up being the bad guy.”

“If it really gets out of hand, tell me. I’m your parent too—I’ll speak up.”

Hearing such protective words from her father, Song Zhen felt a warm surge in her heart. She lowered her head and said softly, “I understand.”

Those words used to be helpful—thankfully, she wouldn’t need to suffer like that anymore. So she didn’t say much.

But her father thought of something else and asked, “By the way, Langlang’s mother has brought up the topic of kids several times in front of me. Has she said anything to you?”

He was genuinely worried she might be pressuring Song Zhen. His concern was real, which was why he had come to Beijing so suddenly in the first place—he feared Madam Cheng was making things difficult, and that Song Zhen wouldn’t be able to handle it alone.

After all, Langlang had both her parents, while Song Zhen had lost her mother young. Now that she was older, it wouldn’t be easy to open up about such things, even to her own father. So he had to keep an eye on things—he couldn’t let anyone bully his daughter.

“She told me to hurry up and have a baby,” Song Zhen replied truthfully. “And if that doesn’t work, to consider artificial embryos.”

“Having a child is one thing, but artificial embryos? That’s terrible for your body. What kind of suggestion is that? That’s going too far!” Song’s father frowned, clearly angry.

“You know what she’s like…”

Displeased, he asked, “And what did Langlang say?”

Langlang hadn’t had time to say anything—before she could, they were already caught, and then divorced.

Song Zhen knew the truth, but on the surface, she simply said, “She never pressured me.”

Satisfied with the response, her father’s anger eased. “I figured she’d bring it up again during this visit. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it. That kind of talk—like she doesn’t even care about her own child. If Langlang weren’t an Alpha, I doubt she’d even say such things!”

“And besides, with the current birthrate, who’s demanding children? It’s not like the Cheng family is some noble house with a royal lineage to preserve. Ridiculous…”

“Don’t bother with her. I’ll handle it when the time comes. Let her air all her grievances at once—I want to see what she thinks gives her the right to judge you. She acts like her family is so great. We don’t have to cater to her.”

Song Zhen was genuinely touched. She nodded repeatedly. “Okay, okay. I know you’re looking out for me.”

After the conversation paused, Song’s father took a few sips of water and glanced around. “What’s taking her so long?”

Song Zhen stood to take a look. There were still a few people ahead of Zhu Sui in line—it wouldn’t be long.

“I should’ve just paid myself. It’s not right to trouble her like this,” he murmured.

Song Zhen laughed. “You two seemed to be getting along really well.”

At the mention of Zhu Sui, a smile spread across his face. “She’s a good kid. There’s a drive in her—reminds me a lot of your mother…”

“…What?” Song Zhen blinked in surprise.

Her father didn’t hold back. “Maybe it’s her background. That sense of pride—like she’s always in control. The last person I saw with that kind of presence was your mom.”

“But your mother was more flamboyant. She was young and brilliant—arrogant, really. She didn’t think anyone measured up. Zhu Sui’s different. She’s more restrained, more composed. For someone her age, she’s surprisingly mature and well-mannered. You can tell she was raised well. She’s got a bright future ahead of her.”

He sighed and smiled, lost in some memory. “If your mother had been a little more like Zhu Sui—just a bit more reserved—maybe things would’ve turned out differently. That kind of wisdom, Zhu Sui figured out at twenty-two. Your mother only came to understand it much later.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “Anyway, no point dredging up the past. She had her reasons to be proud. But as for you—now that you’re doing scientific research too, I’ve always told you: no matter how much you achieve, stay humble. And you’ve done well with that. Just don’t pick up your mother’s bad habit of throwing everything into work. When you have the chance, experience life a little.”

“There’s more to life than ambition. There are plenty of things worth treasuring, Zhenzhen. Try to widen your perspective.”

Just as he said that, Song Zhen looked up and saw Zhu Sui walking toward them, carrying two large gift boxes. She had queued for so long, yet looked completely content, smiling brightly.

She looked… genuinely adorable.

Their eyes met, and Zhu Sui smiled at her. With her gentle features, soft hair, and beautiful face, the sight matched perfectly with her father’s words—and it stirred something in Song Zhen’s heart.

Something worth treasuring…

Yes, Zhu Sui truly was someone worth cherishing.

Song Zhen gave her a small nod, unsure whether she was agreeing with her father or just murmuring to herself. But she said sincerely, “I understand.”