The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

“Miss, can you please pass me the ball? Thank you.” The six-year-old mixed boy had rosy lips and pearly teeth. The smile on his chubby face made Tang Qiu’s heart flutter.

This child was the little boy in the photo…

“Here.” Tang Qiu handed the ball to him stiffly. The moment she came into contact with the child, something suddenly eased. Tang Qiu knew why Jiang Shaocheng had to bring her to M Country; she had resisted internally, but didn’t voice anything out.

It would be a lie to say that she wasn’t looking forward to the trip, but she was afraid too. In fact, after learning about Tang Linxi, the truth wasn’t any easier to bear; now she was also a stain on her mother’s life.

But however worthy of Tang Linxi’s loathing she might be, Tang Qiu wanted to see her mother, who only existed in her memory. All these years, she had never felt the love of her family. It was like being trash that had been discarded by the world. ƒr𝙚𝙚𝘸e𝚋𝐧૦ѵ𝒆𝒍.𝒄𝒐m

However, Tang Qiu did not expect it to happen so quickly. At this moment, her heart was filled with anxiety, excitement, and fear.

Jiang Shaocheng’s hand gripped hers tightly. His hand was large and warm, his calloused touch lending her strength.

“Thank you, miss. You’re very pretty. But why are you crying? This is my favorite ball. Why don’t I give it to you?” The little boy had received the ball excitedly, but when he looked up, the pretty lady in front of him had suddenly teared up. Although she was a stranger, he felt very close to her and wanted to go forward and hug her. She smelled like his mother, so he didn’t want to see her cry. He was even willing to give up his favorite toy.

He was too short to reach her face, and was about to stand on tiptoe to wipe the lady’s tears when he saw someone. As if he had gained courage, he called out softly, “Mom, come quickly. This pretty woman is crying. She cried after helping me pick up my ball…” The little boy didn’t understand why, but after he had asked for help, the lady had cried. Children were very sensitive; he immediately assumed it was his fault somehow. Especially since the man in the wheelchair looked so terrifying. The boy was suddenly very afraid.

However, what the little boy didn’t know was that the moment he shouted ‘Mom’, Tang Qiu trembled. She didn’t dare to turn her head. Without thinking, she pushed Jiang Shaocheng’s wheelchair away and didn’t look back.

Jiang Shaocheng didn’t say anything. He let Tang Qiu push him away. He had deliberately chosen M Country as their destination, just that whether they would meet Tang Qiu’s mother or not depended on fate. He didn’t force it, and he certainly hadn’t expected to run into her on the first day. He was so unprepared. No wonder Tang Qiu’s only response was to flee.

The little boy behind her was still chattering as he explained to his mother, “The lady cried for some reason. The uncle with her was so scary. Mom, I wanted to give the ball to her, but she left…” 𝑓𝒓𝚎e𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯𝘰𝐯𝒆𝑙.c𝚘m

The boy’s mother listened quietly, stroking her son’s head reassuringly and watching the retreating figures he was pointing to. The young man beside the elegant woman followed suit and said comfortingly, “Maybe she just thought of something sad. Don’t you have to feed the seagulls, darling? Mom and Dad will accompany you…”

“Okay.” The little boy was young and playful. In the blink of an eye, he had forgotten about the incident and was playing with his parents.

Among the family of three, only the voices of the little boy and his father rang out, while his mother only smiled gently. Even though she couldn’t speak, it was still obvious that the family was happy and loving.

Some things were clearer to see with one’s own eyes than pictures.

Tang Qiu looked at the elegant woman through the crowd with eyes of yearning. She didn’t want to disturb her. As long as she was truly happy, that was enough. Closure wasn’t always necessary, and Tang Qiu didn’t want to ruin her mother’s life by showing up.

Jiang Shaocheng understood this. Perhaps their meeting across the sea was enough to comfort them for the rest of their lives. Life was meant to be filled with connections, separations, and reunions, and maybe one day their paths would cross again.

However, in the next second, Jiang Shaocheng thought of something. His expression was indescribable as he gritted his teeth and said, “Your brother is so stupid! He called you a pretty lady, and me an old uncle! I just know he lacks brains. Whatever will he do in the future?Hmph! He definitely won’t be able to find a wife.”

Tang Qiu couldn’t help but smile sadly. She was happy… wasn’t she? After losing everything, she was blessed beyond words to have met Jiang Shaocheng.