The CEO's Substitute Ex-Wife
Chapter 237: Troubling Coincidence

Chapter 237: Troubling Coincidence

Zhao Yuning was angrily chased downstairs by the bodyguards. She was very worried about Tang Shuwen, having heard that his condition was not optimistic. She feared something might happen to him, believing that if it weren’t for the wedding today, others wouldn’t have found an opportunity to act.

Yesterday, as Tang Si and Wen Lan were leaving, she overheard their conversation: Tang Shuwen was shot protecting Xiao Nian. Zhao Yuning bit her lip. To protect his son, was he willing to sacrifice his own life?

Shuwen, who were you protecting? Was it her?

Did you not want her to be sad?

Didn’t you say you didn’t love Chen Xueru? Didn’t you say you didn’t consider Xiao Nian your son? Yet, why did you risk your life for them, for their mother and son, even endangering yourself?

The vows you once made, the affection you once showed—did you disregard all of that?

Before his wedding, he had come to tell her that their relationship was definitively over, admitting he had wronged her, and that he wouldn’t refuse if the Tang family could help her in the future. But he refused to have any further involvement with her.

He said he had promised Chen Xueru.

He remembered his promise to Chen Xueru, but did he remember his promises to her? Tang Shuwen, how could you be so cruel to me?

She had thought that if the child unfortunately died, Tang Shuwen and Chen Xueru’s marriage would also end.

But he nearly lost his life protecting the child.

Was there no longer any place for her in his heart?

How could feelings change so quickly in such a short time?

Zhao Yuning leaned against the wall, sobbing. A sharp pain shot through her chest, and a warmth spread in her lower body, as if something was flowing out. Her face turned pale, and she clutched her abdomen, in agony.

A nurse passing by saw her state and rushed to help her. Zhao Yuning waved the nurse away and stumbled into the elevator.

The nurse gasped, looking at a few drops of blood on the floor.

Tang Shuwen survived the three critical days and was moved to a VIP ward.

Everyone in the Tang family breathed a sigh of relief. He had triumphed over death and finally returned. Chen Xueru thanked heaven, tears of gratitude falling. This time, she was truly grateful to Tang Shuwen.

If Tang Shuwen hadn’t blocked the bullet, it would have hit Xiao Nian.

How could Xiao Nian have endured a bullet?

If Tang Shuwen’s actions that night had already held the key to unlocking her heart, then the sincerity and care shown during the wedding had further solidified her resolve to give him that key. After this incident, he had completely opened her heart.

Regardless of his initial intentions, no matter how much she feared the future, she was willing to let go of all her emotional burdens, all past hardships, and resolutely walk forward with him. For these three days, this was what she thought about most.

To be able to selflessly save a son he supposedly disliked, and to be so filial—even if such a man had a poor reputation, she deeply knew that she was slowly falling for him.

When Tang Shuwen awoke, Chen Xueru was resting with her head on his hospital bed. As his hand moved, he grasped her warm, soft hand. Her hand had been holding his the whole time, and Tang Shuwen’s heart immediately settled.

The sunlight was excellent, and the curtains had been drawn open. He found it dazzling, opening and closing his eyes, and it took a while before he felt more comfortable. There was another bed nearby; why hadn’t she slept there, but instead slept leaning on his bed?

"Brother, you’re awake?" Tang Mandong entered with breakfast, happily rushing over. Tang Shuwen shook his head, signaling her not to disturb Chen Xueru. Tang Mandong was overjoyed. She went out to call Tang Si and Wen Lan.

She then re-entered, her steps light.

She muttered several times, speaking of Chen Xueru’s hard work. In these past few days, other than washing up and eating, she had barely left the hospital, staying by his side. Tang Shuwen’s heart warmed upon hearing this, and he then asked about Xiao Nian.

Tang Mandong, fearing Tang Shuwen would worry too much, which would be detrimental to his recovery, only said that Xiao Nian was safe and sound. Tang Shuwen felt relieved.

Chen Xueru stirred awake, and Tang Mandong discreetly left the room.

Their gazes locked, as if trying to see through each other. Chen Xueru felt a pang of pain in her heart. She pressed her face against his hand, full of emotion. No bride in the world had experienced what she had—three days after her wedding, living in constant fear that her husband would leave her, and that her son would remain silent forever. All her worries and tears had been hidden behind a facade of strength.

Now that he was awake, she could finally rest, no longer having to pretend that she could handle everything, no longer having to pretend she was strong.

Tears dampened his hand. Tang Shuwen wanted to comfort her, but he couldn’t move his other hand. "Silly girl, don’t cry. The first thing I see when I wake up is you crying; how unlucky."

Chen Xueru felt even more wronged. Tang Shuwen tried to sit up, a sharp pain in his chest. Chen Xueru panicked, quickly helping him and tearfully scolding him, pressing down on his shoulders to keep him from moving.

Tang Shuwen smiled, looking at her. Chen Xueru realized he was doing it on purpose, and her gaze darkened. But Tang Shuwen said, "I’m sorry, I made you worry."

She shook her head. Tang Shuwen reached out to wipe away her tears, his gaze fixed on her, full of endless tenderness. Chen Xueru held his hand, unsure how to express the gratitude and emotion in her heart.

He seemed to read her thoughts and softly said, "Do you know what I was thinking the moment I was shot?"

She shook her head. Tang Shuwen intertwined his fingers with hers, his gaze gentle and serene, yet showing a hint of sincerity. He said, "If Xiao Nian was okay, you would be very happy."

Chen Xueru’s eyes warmed, tears instantly filling them. She buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing softly.

Xiao Nian was fine, but he also had to be fine. And Xiao Nian... At the thought of Xiao Nian’s continued silence and Tang Shuwen lying there so weakly, her heart ached uncontrollably.

"If I had known I’d wake up to you crying, I wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to wake up. I’d just keep being unconscious. Don’t worry about me," Tang Shuwen said, a bit playfully. He closed his eyes, seemingly intending to genuinely drift back into unconsciousness.

Chen Xueru quickly sat up and wiped away her tears. She stopped crying.

Tang Shuwen smiled gently. "That’s a good girl."

"Xiao Nian is fine; don’t worry," Chen Xueru said. Tang Shuwen nodded. She tenderly stroked the stubble on his face, her heart aching a little. His haggard appearance was all because of her and their son.

"You didn’t shave my stubble? Is it ugly?" Tang Shuwen was a bit displeased with his appearance, suddenly going from refined and gentle to a stubble-faced brute. This severely damaged his image.

"It’s very manly."

"Liar!"

"Really," Chen Xueru chuckled. Appearance wasn’t important for men, was it?

"I don’t believe you," Tang Shuwen said mischievously, his gaze fixed on her lips. "You have to prove it."

"How do I prove it?"

Tang Shuwen sighed. Was that something a twenty-something girl should say? His gaze was so blatant, yet she didn’t understand. Tang Shuwen said, "Xueru, give me a reward."

She didn’t understand. Tang Shuwen sighed, then playfully said, "Considering how brave I was, risking my life to save our son, it’s only fair that his mother gives me a reward, wouldn’t you agree?"

"What reward do you want?"

Tang Shuwen felt like banging his head against a wall. Chen Xueru’s cheeks suddenly flushed. He thought, "Finally, this girl gets it." Chen Xueru lowered her head and kissed his cheek, then stood up, blushing. Tang Shuwen thought, "Just a kiss on the cheek? Is that all?"

"A kiss on the mouth, and a French kiss at that," Tang Shuwen declared. Chen Xueru turned her face away, ignoring him. He complained pitifully, "Is there any groom as unfortunate as I am? Others spend their wedding night in a candlelight ceremony, but I’m stuck in a cold hospital. My wife won’t even give me a kiss; my heart is breaking."

Tang Shuwen had spent a lot of time with Su Ran and Lin Diyun. Except for Ye Feimo, those guys were highly skilled at being unreasonable and difficult to resist for most women.

Chen Xueru was exasperated by his pestering. She leaned down and kissed his lips. Tang Shuwen sucked on her lips, insisting on a French kiss.

Tang Shuwen’s injuries slowly improved. For several days, Xiao Nian didn’t come to see him, and Tang Shuwen finally realized something was amiss. Everyone said Xiao Nian was fine, but all the family members had visited him except for Xiao Nian.

He was a little worried. If something had happened to Xiao Nian, Chen Xueru wouldn’t be so calm, and these past few days, as his condition improved, a smile always graced her face. Xiao Nian shouldn’t be in trouble.

But why wouldn’t he come to see him?

Chen Xueru knew she couldn’t hide it any longer and had to tell him about Xiao Nian. The child had been quiet for a few days, and had seen a doctor, but there was no improvement. Tang Si initially wanted to take him to a psychologist, but Wen Lan couldn’t bear it, so they dropped the idea.

Everyone had been coaxing Xiao Nian. Chen Xueru, whenever she wasn’t at the hospital caring for Tang Shuwen, would be at home with Xiao Nian. She had canceled all her work, dedicating herself to taking care of both father and son.

But Xiao Nian’s condition showed no improvement.

Tang Shuwen insisted on seeing Xiao Nian.

Chen Xueru had no choice but to bring him. Xiao Nian was usually mischievous, a little imp, always smiling, and the joy of Tang Si and Wen Lan. But now, his face was blank, reminiscent of Young Master Ye Second in his childhood.

But Young Master Ye Second was naturally expressionless; Xiao Nian was ill.

"Xiao Nian, what’s wrong? Don’t you even recognize Daddy?" Tang Shuwen held the child, avoiding his wound, and lifted Xiao Nian’s chin, making the child look at him.

But Xiao Nian’s gaze was vacant, and he said nothing.

Tang Shuwen coaxed him for a long time, but there was no improvement at all.

"Shuwen, Xiao Nian was greatly startled this time. I think it will take some time for him to recover. If it really doesn’t improve, then, as Dad said, we should take him to a psychologist." Chen Xueru’s heart ached too, but she was helpless. Tang Shuwen was extremely reluctant, and he kissed his son’s forehead with a pained heart.

Xiao Liu entered, intending to speak, but hesitated. Tang Shuwen glanced at Chen Xueru. She was about to leave, but he held her back. "What is it? Speak."

"Gu Rui is here; he says he wants to see Young Master."

Tang Shuwen raised an eyebrow. "Let him come up."

After Xiao Liu left, Chen Xueru quietly said, "I... Shuwen..."

"Stay."

Gu Rui entered and, upon seeing Chen Xueru present, his gaze flickered with displeasure and hostility, more complex emotions. It was a look of both love and hate. Tang Shuwen’s sharp gaze swept over him. "Young Master Gu, how kind of you to visit me?"

"I have something to tell you," Gu Rui said coldly, glancing at Chen Xueru and Xiao Nian. "I imagine you wouldn’t want Xueru to hear the content of this conversation."

Tang Shuwen smiled gently, but there was no hint of a smile in his eyes; a faint chill emanated from him. "If you don’t mind, I think you can call her Mrs. Tang. There’s nothing about my affairs that she cannot hear."

The implication was that she didn’t need to leave.

Gu Rui gave a mocking laugh, his cold gaze fixed on Tang Shuwen, then sweeping over Chen Xueru, with even more derision. "What if it’s about Yuning?"

Tang Shuwen’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered slightly. He said calmly, "Xueru, please sit down."

If it concerned another woman, she should certainly not leave. Xiao Nian’s expression was blank. Chen Xueru lowered her head to look at her son, then said softly, "Shuwen, Xiao Nian is thirsty too. I’ll take him to get something to drink."

Tang Shuwen frowned slightly, watching Chen Xueru’s retreating figure with a gloomy expression. Only after she disappeared through the doorway did he withdraw his gaze, looking even more displeased. Gu Rui approached. "Do you know that your good wife almost killed your child?"

"What did you say?" Tang Shuwen’s expression changed slightly; his first thought was Xiao Nian.

Gu Rui gave a cold laugh, his gaze like a venomous snake, shooting straight at Tang Shuwen. Tang Shuwen was no longer a teenager; Gu Rui’s malice was insignificant to him. What kind of hateful stares hadn’t he seen? Why would he be afraid of him?

"Yuning is pregnant."

Tang Shuwen’s expression suddenly changed, his eyes narrowing dangerously, as if he couldn’t believe what he had heard. Gu Rui saw no joy in his gaze, but rather a stillness like water. He couldn’t help but feel sorrow for Zhao Yuning.

This man’s heart was probably not with her.

If Yuning were still the woman he loved, Tang Shuwen’s first reaction to her pregnancy would be surprise, not calmness or contemplation. And what speculations or shock were hidden beneath that calm exterior, he didn’t want to guess.

Seeing his reaction, perhaps...

"Tang Shuwen, what are you going to do?" Gu Rui sneered, pointing his accusations directly at Chen Xueru. "That day, Yuning came to the hospital to see you, but Mrs. Tang was too important and didn’t want her to see you. She had someone drive Yuning away, and your subordinates, whether by order or intentionally, were heavy-handed, almost causing Yuning to miscarry. Tang Shuwen, did she tell you about this?"

Tang Shuwen’s gaze instantly turned cold and sharp. Xueru hadn’t mentioned this. Nevertheless, he sneered, looking at Gu Rui. "My affairs with her are none of your business, outsider."

Gu Rui snorted. Tang Shuwen lowered his gaze. Yuning was pregnant?

Did Xueru know?

His fists clenched slightly. For some reason, a feeling akin to panic rose within him, as if he was about to lose something, leaving him unsettled and bewildered. Zhao Yuning’s delicate figure flashed through his mind, then Xueru’s smiling face, and Xiao Nian’s adorable face. It was as if two forces were tearing at his heart, leaving only Xueru’s face in the end.

Gu Rui crossed his arms and smiled slightly. "If I tell Xueru, I wonder what she’ll think."

"You dare!" Tang Shuwen almost squeezed the words through clenched teeth, his gaze fiercely sweeping over Gu Rui. Listening to Gu Rui’s meaning, this child was... Tang Shuwen’s eyes grew even darker, his heart churning. A child...