The CEO's Substitute Ex-Wife-Chapter 216: Poise Under Pressure

The host had intended for Chen Xueru to gloss over the issue, but she said so much that it was awkward to interrupt her midway. Only after she finished did the host steer the conversation away.

Tang Si nodded approvingly. Her words were excellent. Though not entirely perfect, in just a few short minutes, she had to navigate surprise, shock, and formulate a response, all while considering the Tang family’s image, her own image, and tomorrow’s wedding. To have such quick thinking and composure was very satisfying to both Tang Si and Wen Lan. She was calm enough and clever enough.

In just a few sentences, she distanced herself from Tang Shuwen and aimed the criticism directly at Zhao Yuning. Although not explicitly stated, everyone could tell that the audience member was likely paid to ask those questions, intending to make Chen Xueru panic and say something she shouldn’t. However, Chen Xueru was no pushover. She countered perfectly, without giving anyone ammunition. How tomorrow’s gossip would be written was a matter for the gossipmongers.

But during the program, Chen Xueru maintained an air of integrity. She possessed a unique, trustworthy aura that others lacked. Most viewers of the live broadcast would likely choose to believe her.

Rumors would certainly spread, but a celebrity without rumors, only praise, was also a failure.

After the program ended, the director, host, planner, and producers all came over, apologizing profusely. The unexpected incident during the program was their oversight, and they deeply regretted the inconvenience caused to Chen Xueru.

This was the first time Anning had encountered a problem with a live broadcast. In the past, programs were recorded and then aired, so such blunders and embarrassments wouldn’t occur. With Chen Xueru getting married tomorrow, everyone felt very apologetic about this incident happening tonight.

"Please don’t take it to heart. It’s not a big deal. I don’t mind, and I hope you don’t either," Chen Xueru said with a graceful smile. Her demeanor made everyone feel even more apologetic towards her.

Wen Nuan asked, "What happened with that audience member? The questions were all pre-arranged, so how could she change it? Someone must have coached her to say that, right?"

The public didn’t know about Chen Xueru and Tang Shuwen’s past, only rumors circulated in high society. It was impossible for an ordinary audience member to ask such a question with such audacity. Someone must have orchestrated it.

The planner said awkwardly, "Our staff just investigated the situation. Apparently, she didn’t know herself; someone gave her money to ask that question. The audience members for the Q&A are internally arranged, so it might have been an inside job. We will investigate thoroughly and give Miss Chen an explanation."

Chen Xueru shook her head. Anning was her management company, and with her connections to the Ye and Tang families, she didn’t want to blow things out of proportion. "It’s alright. It’s just a small matter. That audience member was also just doing it for money. Don’t make it hard on her."

In this day and age, money makes the world go round. She understood this perfectly well.

After repeatedly apologizing, the Anning staff went about their business. Chen Hang and Li Chengming invited everyone for drinks, also celebrating Chen Xueru’s wedding. They weren’t invited to the wedding tomorrow, so they wished her well in advance.

Chen Xueru didn’t have many friends in the entertainment industry. Besides her aunt, she had a few close friends outside the industry. She hadn’t invited anyone from the industry; most of the guests were relatives and friends invited by the Tang family.

Wen Lan knew she was an orphan with only one relative and three friends outside the industry, which was somewhat few. She had wanted Chen Xueru to invite her classmates, colleagues she got along with, and directors to the wedding banquet. However, Chen Xueru shook her head and refused. Although Wen Lan didn’t know the reason, she let her be. Thus, Chen Xueru did not invite Zhuo Bingbing, Chen Hang, and others.

Whether people called her aloof or cold, she didn’t care.

When the suggestion to celebrate came up, she really wanted to agree, but she had promised Xiao Nian to return early. It was a bit difficult. Wen Nuan smiled and said, "Let Sister Xueru treat us to a meal after the wedding. Tomorrow’s wedding will be very tiring, so she should go back and rest early tonight."

Everyone expressed regret but didn’t press the issue, and they dispersed.

"Sister Xueru, why didn’t you invite Bingbing and the others? You all got quite close over a few months," Wen Nuan asked with a smile.

"I don’t like making friends with people in the industry," Chen Xueru said, pursing her lips. "In the past, I had many friends in the industry. Back then, I didn’t understand the feeling of being scorned when you’re down. Later, when I fell on hard times, everyone either kicked me when I was down or ridiculed me. I gave up on these so-called friends. Perhaps I was just bad at choosing friends, and not everyone in the industry is like that, but since then, I’ve focused on my acting, avoiding social events and making friends. I truly don’t like it. This industry is too dark. Even the friends you do make, you might not really know if they are truly friends. I don’t care about getting blessings. A group of friends like that is not as good as one true friend. Inviting them would just fuel other people’s vanity."

"That’s true," Wen Nuan smiled.

"Are you and Young Master Ye Second fighting lately?" Chen Xueru couldn’t help but ask in the elevator.

Wen Nuan’s gaze darkened. Was it that obvious?

"I think we’re not quite suitable. We should cool off for a while," Wen Nuan said with a faint smile. Mentioning Ye Feimo, her chest felt heavy, as if a suppressed feeling was weighing her down, and she didn’t know how to relieve it.

Chen Xueru patted her shoulder. The two descended the stairs together. The Tang family had a dedicated driver to pick up Chen Xueru. Cai Xiaojing had also assigned a driver, Old Zhang, and an assistant, Lily, to Wen Nuan, and they were all waiting outside the TV station.

As soon as they exited the elevator, Lily came over. "Wen Nuan, Sister Xueru, there are many reporters outside. Let’s go out the back. I’ve already had the driver move the car to the back."

They exchanged glances, knowing it was because of the live broadcast and that the reporters were targeting Chen Xueru.

As they were about to follow Lily out the back door, reporters broke through the security line and rushed in. Flashbulbs went off wildly, surrounding them. Chen Xueru and Wen Nuan had experienced such scenes before and didn’t panic. The security guards downstairs, afraid the reporters might recklessly injure them, hurriedly came to separate them.

"Miss Chen Xueru, was what the audience member said on the live broadcast true?"

"Xueru, did you use the child to marry into the Tang family? And did Young Master Tang marry you for the child?"

"Miss Chen, is it true that Miss Zhao attempted suicide several times?"

"Xueru, are you really someone else’s mistress?"

"Was your marriage to Tang Shuwen meticulously planned by you?"

One sharp question after another came flying at them. The entertainment reporters were a bit agitated, constantly crowding in. A few security guards couldn’t hold them back. Lily and two security guards tried to escort them out, but the chaotic barrage of questions was irritating.