The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

“You’re a guest, Doctor Ke.” Tang Qiu smiled politely. “It wouldn’t be right.”

“I’ll be staying here for a while from today onwards.” Ke Liuyi matched her smile. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Tang Qiu was sincere. “Thank you for helping my husband with his recovery.”

Jiang Shaocheng wanted to be alone with his wife, so he told Ke Liuyi, “Why don’t you go rest in the living room?”

Ke Liuyi sighed. “If you wish. I suppose I have no choice but to sit around and wait for lunch, then.”

***

The three of them sat down to lunch, and Ke Liuyi watched as Tang Qiu helped pick out dishes for her husband. She was about to interject that Jiang Shaocheng only ate food he chose himself when he opened his mouth and let Tang Qiu feed him–from her own pair of chopsticks, too!

Was this the same man she had known? He had been so wary of others who tried to get close to him–even she, as his doctor, had found him to be intimidatingly brooding at times…

“Is the food not to your liking, Doctor Ke?”

Ke Liuyi shook her head, smiling magnanimously. “You’re an excellent cook, Ms Tang. I’m just tired from my flight, that’s all. Shaocheng is lucky to have you around.”

Her praise made Tang Qiu glow. When they were done, Ke Liuyi even insisted on helping to wash the dishes. Tang Qiu was about to object; this wasn’t her house and she shouldn’t have to clean up after them. But Jiang Shaocheng stopped her. “You must be tired. Let her do it.”

“She’s a guest…” Tang Qiu protested, mindful of her manners.

“Like she said, she’ll be staying here a while. It’s only natural she should help out a little.”

Tang Qiu couldn’t argue with him, but neither did he force her to leave. When Ke Liuyi emerged from the kitchen, a plate of fruits awaited her on the table. “You’re too kind, Ms Tang,” she said, sitting. “I’ve known Shaocheng for many years. You don’t have to treat me like an outsider.”

Tang Qiu had no choice but to agree. She didn’t see a point in offending the woman who was helping to treat her husband.

“That reminds me: I thought I should mention, Shaocheng’s treatment involves acupuncture, so we can’t afford any distractions during the process.”

As a medical student, Tang Qiu was aware of this. “Don’t worry. I understand.”

Later in the afternoon, Ke Liuyi brought Jiang Shaocheng to the training room. For the next two hours, Tang Qiu sat in the living room, waiting anxiously. Finally, the door opened.

“How’s my husband? Can I see him?”

“He’s doing well, Ms Tang,” Ke Liuyi assured her. “Go ahead.”

He was covered with sweat from head-to-toe. “Are you okay?” she asked, helping dry him with a towel. “It must have been exhausting.”

“It was…” Jiang Shaocheng couldn’t resist the opportunity, “… but you know how to boost my strength.”

Ke Liuyi was still standing in the doorway. Tang Qiu couldn’t help feeling bashful. Would it hurt to exercise a little restraint when people were around? Clearly, his answer was yes.

She gave him a quick kiss, just to pacify him.

***

The next morning, Tang Qiu went downstairs to make breakfast, but Ke Liuyi had beaten her to him. “Wait a while,” she said. “Breakfast will be done soon.”

“I’m sorry to trouble you, Doctor Ke.”

Ke Liuyi dismissed her words with the wave of a hand. “Oh, this? I used to make Shaocheng’s breakfast for him. This is nothing new.”

“You did?”

“Of course. I’m his personal doctor, didn’t you know that?” Ke Liuyi studied Tang Qiu closely for hints of jealousy.

But Tang Qiu wasn’t a woman to pay attention to such things. “In that case, thank you for thinking of my husband’s diet too.”

“It’s only right that I should.” The smile that flashed across Ke Liuyi’s face was bait–a trap–but Tang Qiu didn’t know that. “I heard you’re a medical student, Ms Tang. It mustn’t be easy, so do keep up the hard work.”

“I will,” she replied, brimming with confidence. f𝒓𝑒e𝙬𝒆𝚋𝘯૦𝘷𝐞𝑙.c𝑜𝐦

After they were done with breakfast, Jiang Shaocheng prepared to accompany Tang Qiu to school, but Ke Liuyi suggested that he remain at home for the treatment.

Naturally, Tang Qiu agreed. “He Lei can send me. You should focus on your recovery!”