The CEO's Substitute Ex-Wife-Chapter 188: A Fractured Home

He also resented Chen Xueru, for being so intelligent and gracious, winning over his parents and sister. He disliked Xiao Nian, for being so well-behaved and adorable, captivating the hearts of his entire family.

Even he, despite his outward disapproval, couldn’t deceive himself. The more time he spent with them, the more he grew to like them. Yet, this very liking made him feel as if he was betraying Zhao Yuning, causing him to show even more aversion on his face.

Heaven knew, every time he scolded Xiao Nian, seeing the sorrow on the child’s small face, he felt even more heartbroken.

After Chen Xueru and Xiao Nian moved into the Tang family home, his life seemed to gain a new hue. Although this hue was one of anger and unwillingness, it was ultimately a vividly intense stroke.

His parents were very fond of Xiao Nian and Chen Xueru, urging them to marry. When Zhao Yuning learned of this, she threatened suicide, which greatly displeased him. Tang Shuwen had been trained as the head of Longmen since childhood, participating in all sorts of rigorous training. He often walked a tightrope, living on the edge, and thus deeply valued life. He genuinely detested the act of suicide.

Yet, faced with Zhao Yuning’s tears, he ultimately compromised.

His parents loved Xiao Nian, and he didn’t want to go against their wishes. The best solution was for him and Chen Xueru to marry, maintaining separate lives, and Xiao Nian would legitimately return to the Tang family.

Nothing would change between him and Zhao Yuning, except for that official document.

That’s what he had originally thought.

However...

Tang Shuwen drove home in a fit of irritation. He hadn’t slept all night, his eyes bloodshot. He had initially intended to go see Chen Xueru first, but then reconsidered, thinking she wouldn’t want to see him.

As soon as he arrived home, he heard Xiao Nian’s joyful laughter, happily calling for "Mama," his voice tender and clear.

Chen Xueru was here?

A flicker of joy crossed his face, and he quickened his steps inside. Sure enough, he saw Chen Xueru and Xiao Nian on the sofa. Xiao Nian sat quietly in her arms, and she was feeding him porridge. Tang Si, Wen Lan, and Tang Mandong stood nearby, playfully teasing Xiao Nian.

The family was harmonious and happy.

Tang Shuwen thought coldly, *Anyone who didn’t know would think they were a family, and he was the outsider.*

Chen Xueru was still wearing her white trench coat today. The room was warm, but she hadn’t taken it off. There was a noticeable wound on her bitten lip. Tang Shuwen didn’t know how she had explained it, but looking at her smiling face, he felt an unsettling discomfort.

Such a smile, so detached it felt untouchable, would dissipate in moments.

It wasn’t as warm as it used to be.

"Brother, where have you been? You didn’t come home last night," Tang Mandong asked, frowning as she saw him enter.

Wen Lan glared at him, and Tang Si shrugged. Tang Shuwen said, "I went to the hospital."

"Are you sick? AIDS?" Tang Mandong asked.

Tang Shuwen walked over and pinched her arm. Tang Si and Wen Lan chuckled. Xiao Nian timidly called out "Daddy." Tang Shuwen acknowledged him with a hum. Xiao Nian, seeing his father seemed to be in a good mood today, was also very happy and ate his food with relish.

He was a remarkably handsome child. Given Tang Shuwen and Chen Xueru’s good looks, their child’s appearance was naturally exceptional. Xiao Nian’s skin was as beautiful as white porcelain, with large, black grape-like eyes, exceptionally long and curled eyelashes, a straight nose, rosy lips—like a finely crafted doll. His twinkling eyes clearly bespoke intelligence, making him very endearing.

He didn’t resemble the current Tang Shuwen much, but he was an exact replica of Tang Shuwen in his youth.

So, indeed, boys change a lot as they grow.

Chen Xueru kept her head down, feeding the porridge. Even after finishing, she didn’t look up at Tang Shuwen. He, of course, wouldn’t initiate conversation with Chen Xueru. Wen Lan and Tang Si naturally sensed the strained atmosphere between them.

The "couple" wasn’t speaking.

Tang Shuwen inexplicably felt a surge of anger. *In his own home, she dared to ignore his presence. Why should he stay and endure her cold demeanor?*

Just as he was about to leave, Chen Xueru spoke: "Uncle, Auntie, thank you so much for taking care of Xiao Nian and me all this time. I’m truly grateful, but I think it’s time for me to return to my own home."

Wen Lan frowned. Tang Shuwen, who had been about to leave, suddenly narrowed his eyes. *What was she saying?*

"Xueru, have I been neglectful in some way? Why are you suddenly saying this? Aren’t you and Shuwen getting married?" Wen Lan asked, then glared fiercely at Tang Shuwen, her expression demanding that he come over and placate her.

Tang Shuwen stared coldly at Chen Xueru, his gaze like ice.

Chen Xueru smiled and shook her head. "No, you’ve been very thoughtful in caring for our mother and son, and I’m very grateful. It’s just... I won’t be marrying Tang Shuwen, so I think it’s time for me to leave the Tang family."

Tang Shuwen clenched his fists. *Not marrying him?*

*Damn it, what does she mean, not marrying him?* freeweɓnøvel~com

She had clearly promised to marry him.

Tang Si saw Tang Shuwen’s angry face and coldly snorted. *What had this brat done to her now?* Chen Xueru deeply cared for Xiao Nian, and had originally agreed to marry; there was no reason for her to suddenly back out.

"Sister Xueru, why? Didn’t you promise to marry my brother? What about Xiao Nian?" Tang Mandong asked, very anxious. She couldn’t bear to lose this adorable child.

Xiao Nian looked at Chen Xueru with innocent eyes: "Mama, are you sad?"

The child’s innocent words made the adults fall silent. If even a child could see it, how could they have overlooked it?

Chen Xueru smiled, shaking her head, and pulled Xiao Nian into a hug, settling him on the sofa. "Xiao Nian, Mama is leaving. Do you want to stay with Grandpa and Grandma, or come with Mama?"

"Enough!" Tang Shuwen suddenly roared. His heart was wrenched tight by her words, as if being cut by a knife. The pain transformed into anger: "No one is leaving!"

Perhaps his tone was too harsh, and Xiao Nian was startled, looking at him with wide, sad eyes. Tang Shuwen’s heart tightened again. Wen Lan angrily interjected, "You shut up!"

Tang Shuwen sat down furiously. Chen Xueru offered a faint smile, grateful for Wen Lan’s defense.

Xiao Nian asked, "Mama, can’t we always live at Grandpa’s house?"

Chen Xueru shook her head. "No."

"Why? Aren’t we a family?" Xiao Nian didn’t understand. "Grandpa, Grandma, Papa, Mama, and Xiao Nian—aren’t we a family? Don’t families live together?"

Chen Xueru’s eyes reddened, and she gritted her teeth, unsure how to answer Xiao Nian’s question.

Xiao Nian stood up from the sofa, his small hand stroking Chen Xueru’s lip: "Mama, don’t bite your lip, it’ll bleed again. Don’t cry, Xiao Nian is good, I won’t ask anymore. Xiao Nian wants to be with Mama."

Chen Xueru held the child tightly: "Baby, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Mama has disappointed you."

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