The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

“It’s fine. Don’t worry, dear, I can handle myself.” Tang Qiu couldn’t explain why, but she felt that Jiang Shaocheng wasn’t as simple as she had thought. She didn’t know if she was overthinking: Every time something happened to her, Jiang Shaocheng would always show up not long after, as if he had a radar on him.

However, she really didn’t want Jiang Shaocheng to worry, if only for her own meaningless pride. She didn’t wish to be a burden to her husband.

“Qiu, I’m your husband. If something makes you uncomfortable, you must tell me. Unless you look down on me for being a cripple and believe I can’t help you… If that’s the case, just pretend I didn’t say anything.” Jiang Shaocheng pretended to be sad and lowered his head as if he had been dealt a physical blow.

As expected, Tang Qiu was anxious. She couldn’t bear to see Jiang Shaocheng like this. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. “Dear, that’s not the case. I’ve never looked down on you–what do I have to do to convince you of that? It’s just that I’m really fine. I’ve been used to dealing with my problems alone since I was young. At this point, I doubt anything can truly hurt me. So don’t worry…” Tang Qiu was afraid that Jiang Shaocheng wouldn’t believe her. She couldn’t help but hug his neck and kiss him again and again.

He Lei, who was in the driver’s seat, quickly activated the partition. He felt a surge of admiration for his young master. How impressive! With just a few words, he had made the young mistress’ heart melt, and even earned himself several kisses.

“If you’re going to act like this, Qiu, you leave me no choice…” Jiang Shaocheng instantly turned the tables on her. He wrapped his arms around her, taking her breath away, and pulled her close in a tangle of limbs.

Tang Qiu didn’t expect that a mere kiss on the cheek would end up provoking a reaction that made her legs weak. When they were done, she leaned into Jiang Shaocheng’s arms and panted heavily. “Dear, did you change your belt? It’s poking my stomach…”

“…Yes, I did.”

Tang Qiu really couldn’t be blamed for her ignorance in certain matters. How was she to know that a disabled person who couldn’t meet his own masculine needs was capable of a physiological reaction?

The next day, Tang Qiu went to school again. Before she could sit down, she was pulled away by Xie Qingqing, who wore a strange expression. “Huang Jianwei, who framed you yesterday, is probably going to be expelled! To think that she became someone’s mistress! Her lover’s wife found her, and her boyfriend broke up with her. This spells trouble for her. I’m afraid she won’t be able to continue studying here…”

Shocked, Tang Qiu was speechless for a moment. However, she refused to dwell on the matter, pushing it from her mind and continuing to study. Even still, her nerves remained on edge.

Only that night, after school had ended, did she receive a call from her grandmother.

Tang Qiu recalled her grandmother’s words to her outside school and felt conflicted. However, her grandmother didn’t give her a chance to speak. “I saw your mother, Tang Qiu!”

“What?” Tang Qiu’s mind went blank for a second. Her mother, whom she hadn’t seen in more than ten years, had suddenly appeared? In the past, she would have responded with spite and resentment towards her mother for abandoning her. For giving birth to her. Most of all, for destroying someone else’s family. But after the information Jiang Shaocheng had helped her find, Tang Qiu realized that she didn’t know her mother at all, let alone her suffering.

Now that she had the chance to see her again, Tang Qiu’s heart was torn…

“Where is she? Is she okay? Why… why didn’t she look for me?” Tang Qiu trailed off. 𝒇𝔯e𝚎𝘄𝑒𝑏𝙣𝑜𝚟𝗲𝑙.c𝘰𝚖

“I’ll give you the address. Come and see for yourself,” said her grandmother before hanging up.

Tang Qiu’s emotions were a murky wreck, leaving her helplessly anxious. How could this be true? Unknowingly, tears streamed down her face as she walked unsteadily towards the school gate. She knew that Jiang Shaocheng was waiting for her at the door. At this moment, she didn’t know what to do. She just wanted to see Jiang Shaocheng. Everything would be okay, so long as she had her husband.

Looking at the familiar car, Tang Qiu mustered her courage. Without waiting for He Lei to get out of the car and open the door, she opened it herself and threw herself into Jiang Shaocheng’s arms. She knew that as long as she searched, he would be there.

“What happened? Who bullied you?” Jiang Shaocheng had never seen Tang Qiu like this before. His eyes flashed with the promise of retribution.

Tang Qiu hugged him tightly and shook her head. Her voice was weak and brittle. “Dear, my grandmother just called me. She said she saw my mother… but she was referring to her tombstone. My mother died long ago!”