"Third Brother, what's wrong with you?" Xiao Wu asked worriedly, seeing Tang San's weakened state.
She extended her delicate hand, intending to touch him, but it was harshly slapped away.
"Don't touch me!" Tang San scolded, his gaze icy cold, a flicker of disdain hidden deep within his eyes.
Xiao Wu's face turned pale, frozen in place, uncertain of what to do, gazing at her third brother in fear, like a child who had done something wrong.
"Xiao San, what do you mean, getting so angry? What did Xiao Wu do to you?" Liu Erlong, fiercely protective of Xiao Wu, rushed over, pulling her behind.
Ning Rongrong stood in front of Xiao Wu, furious. "Third Brother, why are you being so harsh to Xiao Wu? What's the meaning of this?"
The rest of the Shrek members shared a look of confusion, all focusing on Tang San, wondering what was going on with him.
Even Flender frowned, displeased at his disciple, feeling that Tang San had gone too far.
Their eldest brother, Dai Mubai, tried to mediate. "Xiao San, talk this out calmly. I don't know what misunderstanding has come up between you and Xiao Wu, but don't act so impulsively."
"Misunderstanding?" Tang San sneered bitterly, his laugh full of mockery.
No one could understand the amount of hurt and shock he had endured in just this minute. Who could possibly understand?
Tang San felt like crying but had no tears. He was practically losing his mind. He wished it was all a misunderstanding, but reality was unbearably harsh.
The person he loved the most, his little sister whom he had vowed to protect, had betrayed him, secretly carrying another man's child. How could he accept that?
Did she intend to secretly have this child, only to shock everyone?
"Xiao San, what are you talking about?" Dai Mubai became increasingly confused, unable to fathom how his usually gentle and calm brother was becoming so unhinged.
"What am I saying? Do I really need to spell it out?" Tang San shifted between bitter laughter and agonizing pain, a single tear tracing down his crazed face.
Now he realized the depth of Xiao Wu's shamelessness. She would affectionately call him 'Third Brother' but secretly have an affair and bear another man's child.
The thought of such betrayal made Tang San go mad, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, until he coughed up blood.
"Xiao San!"
"Third Brother!"
The Shrek members cried out in alarm, shocked to see Tang San continuously spitting blood. Clearly, he had suffered internal injuries. But what could have caused this?
Xiao Wu stood frozen in panic, wanting to approach him to offer comfort. But upon seeing his bloodshot, icy gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and she dared not move.
Tang San's face was deathly pale, yet his gaze grew colder. An uncontrollable thought filled his mind, almost tearing him apart.
He recalled that Spirit Masters had a much harder time conceiving than ordinary people. Even after twenty encounters, pregnancy wasn't guaranteed, yet Xiao Wu had somehow managed to conceive a bastard child.
The vision of this tormented him, leaving him almost drained. Had it not been for Dai Mubai holding him up, he might have collapsed to the ground.
"Hundreds of thousands…" He kept coughing blood, his head spinning, nearly fainting from the anger.
Everyone looked at him in worry and confusion. How could he suddenly start spitting so much blood? The ground was stained red, all of it his.
"Xiao San, what's going through your mind? Stop torturing yourself!" Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Tai Long pleaded with deep concern for his well-being.
Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat; he had been found out.
It was impossible to keep this secret forever, but he hadn't expected this day to come so soon.
Under everyone's questioning, Tang San finally revealed the truth, exposing the fact that he had discovered the life growing inside Xiao Wu's womb.
Dai Mubai's eyes widened, stunned and slightly doubtful. "Xiao San, could you have made a mistake? How could Xiao Wu do something like that?"
The others found it hard to believe as well. Xiao Wu was usually lively and affectionate, often staying by Tang San's side. How could she possibly have cheated?
However, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Liu Erlong remained silent, indicating that they had already known.
Xiao Wu's face turned deathly pale, her body trembling as she took steps back, wanting to flee the scene.
Her mind was blank, unsure what to do.
The thing she feared the most had been exposed. Was there any hope left for her and Tang San?
Seeing Xiao Wu's panicked expression, combined with her round belly, everyone began to believe most of what was said.
"Xiao Wu, is what Xiao San said true?" Dai Mubai and Oscar's heads buzzed. They had guessed the truth but still couldn't bring themselves to accept it.
Liu Erlong sighed, creating some space. This was unavoidable; Xiao Wu would eventually have to face it.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong shook their heads and moved aside, making space for Xiao Wu.
The rest of the Shrek members, seeing the calm expressions of the three, could imagine that they had known for a while.
Xiao Wu looked desperate, her face drained of color. Her trembling hands clutched at her dress, like a frightened little rabbit.
"Xiao Wu, tell us. How did you get pregnant?" Dai Mubai demanded loudly.
The others were equally disappointed, filled with shock and grief. They had always seen Xiao Wu's love for Tang San; who could have imagined this?
"Xiao Wu, why did you betray Third Brother?" Ma Hongjun asked, shaking his head in disappointment.
Everyone's questions bombarded her, leaving Xiao Wu shaking, unable to say a word.
With the truth revealed, Liu Erlong knew there was no turning back.
She grabbed her adopted daughter's shoulders. "Xiao Wu, tell me, who's the father of this child?"
Xiao Wu was already distraught, and now even her godmother's question left her feeling even more panicked.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Liu Erlong, and Tai Long kept questioning her, forcing her to reveal the truth.
Xiao Wu trembled, her eyes welling up with tears, but she bit her lip tightly, refusing to implicate Chen Xuan.
The more she refused, the more the Shrek members wanted to know the truth. Who was this person that she protected so dearly?
"Xiao Wu, who is he? Do I mean so little in comparison?" Tang San asked in disbelief, his anger boiling over, despising the other man.
He was so exceptional, with such amazing talent. Was he not good enough for her?
"What does he have that I don't? Tell me!"
"No…no, Third Brother, I…I really don't know…" Xiao Wu stammered, her eyes red, yet still refusing to speak of Chen Xuan.
Her brother's hatred, her companions' disappointment, her sisters' pity, Liu Erlong's questions—everyone's expressions played out before her, striking her heart and making her want to cry.
Xiao Wu shut her eyes tightly, trying to escape from it all, but their voices continued to surround her.
She clamped her hands over her ears, trying to find peace.
But the persistent questions only echoed louder, stirring her heart into chaos.
Finally, Xiao Wu could bear it no longer, and tears began streaming down her face, falling onto the ground.
Seeing those tears fall from her delicate face, Chen Xuan's heart wavered, almost melting, unable to hold back his feelings any longer.
Xiao Wu's tears cut into his heart like a knife, making it hard to breathe, impossible to ignore.
Chen Xuan strode forward and pulled the trembling Xiao Wu into his arms, holding her tightly.
Xiao Wu, her eyes still closed, felt herself pulled into a strong embrace.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she looked up, seeing a broad chest, filled with a warm, comforting male scent.
The Shrek members stared, stunned by his sudden move.
"Chen Xuan, are you crazy? What are you doing!" Dai Mubai and Liu Erlong shouted.
Xiao Wu was like a treasure to them; they couldn't stand by and let her fall into the wrong hands.
Chen Xuan shielded Xiao Wu behind him, facing the Shrek members with piercing eyes, and spoke a shocking truth.
"I'm the one you're looking for. The child in Xiao Wu's belly is mine."
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