The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

News of her husband’s visit to the school–and her marriage–must have spread. Niu Caijie had been there to bear witness, so there was no point denying it.

“Didn’t think you’d go for a cripple.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “You can do better.”

She didn’t want to get into all the details involving the Fengs regarding her marriage, so she simply brushed his hand off. “I like him,” she argued. “And he’s not crippled, only injured; he’ll recover sooner or later. Also, please stop touching me so casually.”

“Why? We’re close, and that’s how I usually interact with people. But wait–you said your husband would recover?”

“He’s undergoing treatment.” In her excitement, she couldn’t help adding, “Just last night, he said he felt some sensation in his legs.”

Qian Hongwei narrowed his eyes. “So you think he’ll recover soon?” he asked, to which she nodded.

If Tang Qiu was paying attention, she would have noticed the shadow that fell over Qian Hongwei’s face. If Jiang Shaocheng recovered, it would threaten his younger brother’s standing. Jiang Ming was one of the pillars of the Qian family; their position would be compromised too. What’s more, if Jiang Shaocheng got better, it would be even harder to force him to divorce Tang Qiu.

***

Later that day, Qian Hongwei placed a friendly hand on Tang Qiu’s shoulder, heedless of her previous words. “I’ll treat you to lunch.”

She shoved his hand away. “I should be treating you, after all those times you’ve helped me…”

He chuckled. “So you don’t hate me after all. Don’t tell me you’re fond of me?”

“I didn’t catch that. What did you say?” f𝘳ℯℯ𝙬𝒆𝚋𝐧oν𝑒Ɩ.c𝑜𝙢

“Nothing.”

After they were done eating, Tang Qiu went off to the library. When she was out of hearing range, Qian Hongwei took out his phone and called Ning Mufan. ƒ𝑟𝙚e𝔀𝗲𝒃n𝒐𝘷𝗲Ɩ.c𝗼𝚖

“She’s in the library. Take the chance to clear up your mess. I heard she got into a fight with Niu Caijie. I’m no detective, but I’m placing bets it’s because you slept with her.”

“Nothing happened between me and Niu Caijie!” came Ning Mufan’s aggrieved reply. “I was drunk out of my mind, what was I supposed to do?”

Qian Hongwei’s eyes turned hard. He had set Tang Qiu up with Ning Mufan so Jiang Shaocheng would divorce her; he hadn’t expected Ning Mufan to be stupid enough to be snared by Niu Caijie. His face smoothed over into a smile. “Hey, it’s not me you need to convince. Qiu has a soft heart, just talk to her nicely, and she’ll listen…”

When they hung up, Qian Hongwei took a moment to ponder what Tang Qiu saw in Jiang Shaocheng that Ning Mufan lacked. But he was certain he could force her to divorce her husband somehow–and snatch her from Ning Mufan. It had been no easy feat to push the woman he liked into another man’s arms, but it had been a necessary evil. And a temporary one, since one way or another, Tang Qiu would be his.

***

Tang Qiu was shocked by Ning Mufan’s unexpected appearance, and his words. Is he insane? What was he doing, hugging her in public like this?

It didn’t matter. Her hand lashed out and slapped him across the face.

Ning Mufan let out a cry of surprise. He reeled back, flabbergasted. He was the young master of the Ning family; people had fawned over him since he was a child, never daring to raise a hand to him. Even if he liked Tang Qiu, he couldn’t let this slide–it was a direct insult, a blow to his pride.

Tang Qiu shoved him away. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but listen up: I don’t like you. I never have, and I never will. If this is about Niu Caijie, we fought because she provoked me and Qingqing first, and even hit Qingqing. If you don’t believe me, you can check the security cameras. And for the last time, I’m married. Please, respect that!”

She turned and left him standing there.

A woman in the corner was recording the scene. Her mouth had been hanging open since Tang Qiu slapped Ning Mufan; now it twisted into a smirk.?You’ll pay, Tang Qiu, she thought,?for daring to hit the man I like.?