Chapter 15: Leave Her Be

She took a deep breath, her expression turning cold. "I'm not pregnant. There's no need to go to the hospital."

His gaze shifted toward her, carrying an unmistakable chill.

Tang Yuan realized she had never truly understood him.

"Whether you go to the hospital is not up to you."

He was the first to get into the car.

She stood there for several seconds, feeling the pain not in her stomach, but deep in her heart.

Though she had seen through everything long ago, a decade of feelings could not simply be peeled away like a layer of skin.

She followed him into the car, her face even paler, leaning back against the seat with her eyes closed.

Jiang Nian was still driving, and without any instruction from Shen Zhu, the car was already heading toward the hospital.

Tang Yuan had initially thought, "I'll just get a check-up, it won't take long," but at that moment, her phone rang. It was Fu Yansheng calling.

"Sister Chen had a car accident and is in the hospital. Her husband is causing a scene, demanding to see the studio owner..."

Tang Yuan’s heart leapt into her throat. Chen Meng had a car accident?

Wasn’t she fine this morning?

"How is she now? What about you? Are you hurt?"

"I'm not in the same car with her. I got her call. She's unconscious and being treated. Chen’s husband is a gambler."

"Is this at the hospital from this morning? I’m coming right away!"

She hung up and looked at Shen Zhu. "I need to go to the City People's Hospital. My friend was in an accident."

The hospital Shen Zhu wanted to take her to was one invested in by the Shen family, completely opposite in direction to the People's Hospital.

Shen Zhu’s gaze remained fixed on the documents on his lap, his slender fingers flipping the pages lightly, a trace of mockery appearing in his eyes.

The last bit of color drained from Tang Yuan’s face. She knew all too well he thought she was making up a lie on the spot.

"Shen Zhu, I really am not pregnant. I can give you the medical report tomorrow, but right now I need to go to the hospital. My friend is in critical condition. She’s my partner—"

Before she could finish, he interrupted lightly, "What does that have to do with me?"

Tonight, his indifference shattered her understanding of him repeatedly. Only now did she realize how cold-hearted he was at his core.

Of course, if he weren’t cold-hearted, how could he marry her, sleep with her, and still cheat without guilt?

She suddenly opened the car door beside her.

Jiang Nian in the front seat was startled and slammed on the brakes. "Madam, this is dangerous!"

Tang Yuan fell to the ground in an instant, her ankle hurting sharply, likely to swell soon.

"Madam!"

Jiang Nian called from the driver’s seat, but Tang Yuan didn’t look back. Limping painfully, she headed forward.

Shen Zhu remained seated in the car, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. His thin lips were pressed tightly, filled with coldness.

Jiang Nian, worried, spoke cautiously, "Sir, maybe you should—"

Shen Zhu shut the door with a heavy thud, his expression dark. "Ignore her."

Jiang Nian fell silent and quietly drove the car forward.

Tang Yuan walked a considerable distance, the pain in her ankle intensifying. A sudden glare from a passing car’s headlights nearly hit her, almost knocking her over.

It was as if her body had been struck by a precise blow; only when the car window rolled down did she hear the man inside curse.

"Are you crazy? If you want to die, don’t drag me along!"

The window closed, and the driver furiously sped past her.

A cold shiver ran through her veins. Touching her cheek, she noticed moisture on her fingertips.

She quickly wiped it away, a firm resolve flashing in her eyes.

She would never shed a single tear for Shen Zhu again.

He was not worth it, and she would despise herself if she did.

Tang Yuan continued forward for half an hour, ignoring the searing pain in her leg. As she reached the hospital entrance, she saw someone standing there.

He was very tall, wearing a mask and a hat, blending into the night like part of the scenery—so striking that passersby couldn’t help but glance back repeatedly.

It was Fu Yansheng.

He looked up and saw her, then quickly approached.

"Tang... Manager Tang."

Only then did Tang Yuan realize Fu Yansheng had never addressed her by name before.

"Just call me Tang. How’s Chen Meng?"

His gaze dropped to her awkwardly injured leg. "Are you hurt?"

"Not seriously. Is Chen Meng’s husband still causing trouble?"

He lowered his long eyelashes and gave a short, affirmative sound. "The hospital called security. He got into a fight with them."

Tang Yuan felt she had failed as a boss and even more as a friend. She only knew Chen Meng was married but had never understood her marriage.

Suppressing the sharp pain, she pushed forward until she reached the emergency room entrance, where she overheard a man’s enraged shouting.

"That bitch better die in there! Refused to take money, she deserves this!"

Tang Yuan’s expression darkened. As Fu Yansheng moved to intervene, she quickly grabbed his arm.

He looked down at her hand—slender and pale against his dark clothing, the contrast stark.

His eyelashes trembled slightly as he averted his gaze.

Tang Yuan looked toward the man. Several security guards were restraining him and would likely escort him away.

"Yansheng, no matter what, never get involved in things like this. You have fans now, you’re not a nobody. If this gets out, it could become a scandal that haunts you when you rise to fame. Once labeled a troublemaker in a hospital dispute, it’s almost impossible to clear your name."

"But—"

"No buts. Since I’m responsible for your future, you have to listen to me."

Her eyes shone brightly, eyelashes still damp from recent tears, but now filled with determination.

After speaking, she turned and walked away around the corner toward the security guards.

The restrained man’s eyes lit up at the sight of her. Where had such a beautiful woman come from?

Tang Yuan did not look at him but politely addressed the guards, "Please take this man away."

The man sneered cruelly, his face full of malice. "You couldn’t be Chen Meng’s boss, could you? I’ve heard about her—her boss is supposed to be a beautiful woman. But from what I see, your studio’s money must come from sleeping with men! No boss would have such a sly look on her face!"