The CEO's Substitute Ex-Wife-Chapter 203: A Friend’s Concern

"The photo is so obvious, how could I not know? Be careful, soon a bunch of people might actually run over and surround you," Chen Xueru teased. She then pondered, "Oh, right, I’m going to try on my wedding dress today. If you’re free, come with me."

"Isn’t Brother Shuwen accompanying you?" Trying on a wedding dress usually involves both. Why was she going alone?

Chen Xueru said faintly, "He’s busy."

Wen Nuan frowned. How annoying! It was New Year’s, and everyone knew he was getting married. What could he possibly be so busy with now? He should have been on holiday. "Busy" was just an excuse.

Wen Nuan was truly worried about Chen Xueru’s marriage.

At the Storm Bridal Photography Studio, Wen Nuan saw Xiao Nian for the first time. The little boy was incredibly adorable. He originally called her "auntie," but Wen Nuan felt too old and insisted that Xiao Nian call her "older sister."

Xiao Nian was also an obedient child, and his repeated calls of "older sister" made Wen Nuan’s heart blossom.

She hugged him and kissed him several times.

Wen Lan and Tang Mandong shook their heads. Tang Mandong said, "Xiao Nian, call me ’auntie,’ and call her ’older sister’? The generations are all mixed up. No, call her ’auntie,’ Auntie Wen, or Auntie Nuan is fine too."

Wen Nuan shot Tang Mandong a charming, triumphant look, filled with unbridled glee.

With such a beautiful wife and such an adorable child, Brother Shuwen was truly fortunate, yet he still didn’t seem to cherish it.

Wen Lan saw that Tang Mandong and Wen Nuan were accompanying Chen Xueru. She and Tang Si were already planning to meet friends, so she said goodbye and left first. Wen Nuan and Tang Mandong remained in the studio.

"Mandong, how are your brother and Sister Xueru doing?"

"Same as always."

"No progress?"

"I don’t understand it," Tang Mandong mumbled. Xiao Nian ran inside to see his mother. Tang Mandong continued, "Who can say for sure about matters of the heart? I don’t know what’s on my brother’s mind, but Sister Xueru seems to have no feelings for my brother at all. When they’re at home, if my parents are there, they might exchange a word or two. But if my parents aren’t there, they avoid each other as much as possible."

"So, Brother Shuwen and Zhao Yuning aren’t in contact, are they?"

"It’s annoying! Zhao Yuning was already in poor health, and when she heard about my brother’s marriage, she had another episode. On Christmas Day, I heard she waited outside for my brother all night and got sick again, critically ill. The Zhao family came to blame my parents, making our whole family unhappy and bringing bad luck," Tang Mandong said with a frown, a hint of displeasure in her voice. "Crying, making a scene, threatening suicide—pah, what nonsense."

"Alright, calm down," Wen Nuan said. They spoke softly, not wanting Chen Xueru to hear. Wen Nuan was utterly frustrated. Why were everyone’s relationships so difficult?

Tang Mandong said, "My mom was afraid of complications, so she had my brother and sister-in-law register their marriage yesterday. Originally, they planned to hold the wedding first and then register, but now they just went ahead and registered. Legally, they’re married, so Zhao Yuning’s tantrums are useless."

"Brother Shuwen still likes Zhao Yuning, doesn’t he?"

"Probably. He was heartbroken when he heard she was hospitalized and rushed to see her. That’s why... he didn’t even accompany sister-in-law to try on her wedding dress. My brother went too far this time, but it’s understandable. That Zhao Yuning is too malicious. Why does she run to the hospital at every turn? Even Lin Daiyu wasn’t as delicate as her. It infuriates me!" Tang Mandong fumed, indignant. Who goes to the hospital every few days? It was clearly a farce.

"Can such a marriage be happy?" Wen Nuan said faintly. Remembering how Ye Feimo had also mentioned marriage that day, she was glad she didn’t agree impulsively. If she had, she truly feared she would regret it.

Ye Feimo and Han Bi had broken up years ago, and it was Han Bi who betrayed him. Yet, Ye Feimo still lingered, feeling pity. Tang Shuwen and Zhao Yuning had been on the verge of marriage, their feelings intense. How could Tang Shuwen possibly let go of Zhao Yuning?

Such a marriage hung by a thread.

"My mom said to let nature take its course. Anyway, even if it wasn’t Sister Xueru, my parents wouldn’t let Zhao Yuning into our family. Our family and the Zhao family have had some conflicts for a while now. My brother wanting to marry Zhao Yuning would have to get past my parents. If it were any other woman, not Zhao Yuning, even if Sister Xueru had a child, my parents wouldn’t force them to marry. But because it’s Zhao Yuning, my parents also have their selfish reasons. They want my brother to settle down after marriage and cut ties with the Zhao family. My dad doesn’t like them."

Wen Nuan nodded. Tang Mandong then asked, "What were you just lamenting about on Weibo by yourself? What were you doing running off there in the middle of winter?"

"Oh... nothing, I was just trying to figure out what wedding gift to get Sister Xueru, and when I couldn’t think of anything, I just zoned out in the square. I’m still trying hard to think," Wen Nuan’s mind worked quickly, casually finding an excuse to cover it up.

Tang Mandong slanted a look at her. "We lack nothing. What gift are you buying? Just send a red packet; save the gift."

"Go on, it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?"

"Then why don’t you go with Young Master Ye Second? He could help you come up with an idea. What can you think of on your own?"

"He’s busy," Wen Nuan said faintly. Tang Mandong was about to ask when Xiao Nian clapped his hands and walked over. "Auntie, Mommy is so beautiful, so beautiful..."

Chen Xueru walked out. Tang Mandong and Wen Nuan stood up, letting out gasps of admiration. She was truly so beautiful, so beautiful. Originally, Chen Xueru and Tang Shuwen had hastily taken a set of wedding photos for the newspaper. The Tang family naturally wouldn’t let Chen Xueru be wronged. There wasn’t enough time to custom-make a wedding dress, so Wen Lan asked the top bridal gown designer in Milan for this non-sale item.

This was a masterpiece that had caused a sensation in the Milan fashion show world a year ago, constantly appearing on runways and displayed in bridal shops. A certain country’s prince also wanted to buy this wedding dress for his wedding, but the owner refused.

This wedding dress accentuated Chen Xueru’s slender figure, making her even more curvaceous. The white veil was very sheer, and the train was long, with white flowers blooming all over the white veil, elegantly cascading down her back. A beautiful lily, layered petals, bloomed on the left side of her waist, giving her a luxurious and noble beauty. The very bottom was adorned with tiny scattered diamonds. This wedding dress was extremely suitable for Chen Xueru; she exuded the grandeur and nobility of the gown.

"Miss Chen is so beautiful," the ladies in the studio praised one after another. Wen Nuan and Tang Mandong took photos with their phones. Wen Nuan’s eyes sparkled with adoration. "Sister Xueru, marry me instead!"

Such envy and jealousy!

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆novelkiss