The CEO's Substitute Ex-Wife-Chapter 170: A Sisterly Bond and an Unwelcome Encounter

"Mmm, I know. I just needed to vent some frustration," Chen Xueru said, her heart heavy. This matter had tormented her for days. Tang Shuwen’s verbal attacks didn’t bother her much, but seeing his cruelty towards Xiaonian was agonizing.

Perhaps he grew up carefree, born with a silver spoon, accustomed to having his way. Other people’s feelings and emotions seemed insignificant in their eyes; he simply didn’t care.

But she had only her son to rely on. How could she feel at ease seeing him suffer?

"Actually, Sister Xueru, I’ve known Brother Shuwen for quite a while, many years. To Mandong and me, he’s a reasonable, gentle brother—not a bad person. He genuinely loves another woman, and what happened years ago was indeed a misunderstanding, with no one telling him the truth. Suddenly, an illegitimate son appears, and it’s the son of a woman he once hated; he’s bound to reject it. I can’t speak for other things, but Brother Shuwen is definitely a responsible man and someone who values family. Perhaps after some time, his attitude towards Xiaonian will improve," Wen Nuan said, embracing Chen Xueru. "You’ve endured so much hardship and pulled through. Things will surely get better in the future. Be brave."

Chen Xueru gripped Wen Nuan’s hand, nodding with tears in her eyes. She hoped so too.

"Why didn’t you bring the little guy out? I really want to see him. He looks so cute in pictures," Wen Nuan transitioned to a happier topic.

At the mention of her son, Chen Xueru’s eyes brightened, and she smiled faintly. "His grandpa and grandma took him out to play. They and Mandong spoil Xiaonian terribly; I barely have time with him anymore."

"He’s the Tang family’s first grandson; Uncle and Auntie must be overjoyed."

Wen Nuan had guessed right. As soon as Tang Si and Wen Lan confirmed he was their grandson, they immediately went to show off to Wen Nuan and Young Master Ye San. After all, Young Master Ye San had a precious pair of grandchildren that made others quite envious.

Chen Xueru smiled faintly. She quite liked the Tang family, except for Tang Shuwen.

As they were discussing Xiaonian, a figure suddenly approached. Wen Nuan’s eyes narrowed. Chen Xueru looked up, her expression instantly turning cold. It was Gu Rui.

"Chen Xueru, he’s really not my son?" Gu Rui’s face was very unpleasant, even somewhat gloomy, in an accusatory stance. Wen Nuan frowned. She had initially thought this man left a good impression, but what was with this expression?

"You already know, don’t you?" Chen Xueru said flatly. She had once loved him so completely, with such heartbreak, without complaint or regret. After such a devastating betrayal and years of ups and downs, her feelings for Gu Rui had truly faded.

His appearance could no longer stir a ripple in her heart.

In her youth, knowing nothing, she loved him, gave her all, foolishly expecting nothing in return. At that time, Chen Xueru had once believed that even if she died, her heart would never stop loving Gu Rui.

But now, looking back, she realized how foolish, how infatuated, how ignorant her younger self had been.

"You truly are cheap. While you were with me, you were also with Tang Shuwen. Chen Xueru, I never saw it clearly before; you’re such a loose woman," Gu Rui sneered, coldly mocking Chen Xueru.

The Gu family was a large, thriving clan. He wasn’t the eldest grandson, and the old master didn’t favor his branch of the family the most. But if Chen Xueru’s child was his, then his son would be the Gu family’s first great-grandson.

The old master adored children, and having such a child might make the old master favor their side more. So, Gu Rui was very insistent on this child. Plus, looking at the photos, the child looked intelligent at first glance, and he liked that very much.

He had been with Chen Xueru before, so of course, he knew her personality. She was a steadfast girl, and quite conservative. Based on the timeline, they should have conceived the child when they were together.

He was certain the child was his. Who knew, it turned out to be Tang Shuwen’s. Gu Rui was furious.

Of course, he had abandoned Chen Xueru, and he felt no regret about that. When Chen Xueru was with him, she was young, beautiful, gentle, and submissive—what man wouldn’t like that?

Later, he gradually found her boring and met the charming Han Bi. He naturally felt Chen Xueru couldn’t compare to a single hair on Han Bi’s head. For Han Bi’s sake, he didn’t hesitate to almost ruin Chen Xueru.

Gu Rui wasn’t entirely without genuine feelings for Chen Xueru back then, but unfortunately, that genuine feeling had a very short shelf life.

Deep down, he still held the belief that this woman belonged to him. He had always felt a sense of superiority. But he never expected Chen Xueru’s child to be Tang Shuwen’s.

This was undoubtedly a slap in his face.

"I also never saw clearly before that you’re such a disgusting man," Chen Xueru retorted coldly. She was surprised that her mood wasn’t affected in the slightest.

She only felt it was ironic.

It turns out that when you no longer care about someone, no matter how hurtful their words are, you can simply ignore them.

Gu Rui sneered, glancing at Wen Nuan beside them. Wen Nuan’s face was expressionless. Gu Rui said, "Chen Xueru, you were two-timing when you were with me. I even felt sorry for you back then, but now it seems completely unnecessary. Do you know that you’re a homewrecker, a vixen, who destroyed someone else’s relationship? Yuning and Tang Shuwen are a perfect match, well-suited, and loved each other for so many years, but you forcibly intruded between them, ruining their feelings, causing Yuning to attempt suicide. Do you know how malicious your actions are towards others, leveraging a child to occupy a man who doesn’t belong to you?"

*Zhao Yuning attempted suicide?*

Chen Xueru’s face changed slightly. She felt apologetic about disrupting Tang Shuwen and Zhao Yuning’s relationship, but she felt no guilt when Gu Rui accused her.

Anyone else could accuse her, but Gu Rui had no right.

"Gu Rui, what right do you have to accuse Sister Xueru? At best, you were just a man Sister Xueru loved when she was young and ignorant. Now, to her, you’re just like any random man on the street. You have nothing to do with each other anymore. What right do you have to interfere in her affairs?" Wen Nuan asked coolly. This Gu Rui was truly annoying.

Gu Rui said coldly, "Don’t you know that Yuning is my cousin?"

"Perfect then! Your cousin abandoned Sister Xueru, and Sister Xueru took your cousin’s boyfriend. It evens out perfectly. Your mom’s calling you home for dinner; hurry up and leave," Wen Nuan said exasperatedly.

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