The Substitute Bride and the Cripple

Tang Qiu nodded and smiled, still admiring the watch. “Thank you,” she said in acceptance.

Like a salesman trying to win over a client, He Lei continued, “These clothes and accessories were all bought on discount, Young Mistress. They’re even cheaper than the watch. The young master wanted me to buy some of them for you.”

Tang Qiu frowned, still wary of spending money recklessly. “I don’t usually wear things like this,” she admitted. “How much were the discounted prices?” 𝙛𝚛𝙚ewe𝗯𝓃𝗼ѵ𝚎Ɩ.𝒄ｏ𝐦

Sensing her discomfort, He Lei quickly assured her, “Less than a hundred yuan. Young Mistress, if you don’t have some jewelry to go with your clothes when you go out with your husband, people will laugh and point fingers at him for being unable to pamper you with gifts.”

So the items had been affordable. Tang Qiu exhaled in relief. She couldn’t deny that the jewels, sparkling in the light, were stunning.

Ke Liuyi was at a loss for words. A hundred yuan? Those jewels were worth more than a million yuan! She had been delusional earlier–these presents were for Tang Qiu, not her, and Jiang Shaocheng was keeping her in the dark about their cost to ward off his wife’s concerns about money. A tremor of rage seized her body.?What makes you so good, Tang Qiu, to have Jiang Shaocheng fawn over you like this? “Read more on newn0vel / org”

Oblivious in her excitement, Tang Qiu reached for the clothes, but Jiang Shaocheng gripped her wrist. “Let me help you wear these earrings, Qiu. I’m sure they’ll look gorgeous on you. Let Doctor Ke help to clear the things.” He turned to Ke Liuyi. “That is, if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course,” Ke Liuyi uttered through a kind smile and clenched teeth.

A little bashful, Tang Qiu studied the earrings her husband was holding, with their flowery design and multicolored petals. “They’re beautiful,” she remarked. “What are they made of?” 𝗳𝗿𝐞ℯ𝙬𝗲𝗯n𝗼νel.𝒄𝑜𝘮

Diamonds–glittering in shades of pink, blue and yellow. “It’s probably glass,” he said with a slight smile. “Who cares? As long as they look good on you.”

Tang Qiu couldn’t see a reason to argue, so she let him help her put the earrings on. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror. “This feels unfamiliar,” she said. “But they’re so pretty.”

As the saying went: clothes made the man. With Tang Qiu’s dainty-featured beauty, she was naturally eye-catching.

Her delight was contagious. Jiang Shaocheng smiled. “Come, let me see.”

......

Tang Qiu knelt in front of him to give him a closer look. “I don’t normally like spending money, but–” He cut her off with a kiss. Heat visibly rushed to her cheeks, but for once, her desire overshadowed her shyness. Her eyes slipped shut, and she moved to pull him closer.

Ke Liuyi, who was busy making trips up and down the stairs, caught sight of them.?That shameless little minx.?Jealousy twisted her insides like a knife. She made to approach them, but He Lei blocked her.

“Don’t disturb them, Doctor Ke. Don’t you have tasks to complete?”

A sneer flashed in Ke Liuyi’s eyes for a second before her gaze turned gentle. “How did Ms Tang convince her husband to buy all this for her?” she asked, as if they were sharing a jest.

He Lei shrugged. “In the young master’s words, what is he earning money for, if not to pamper his wife? Why would he deprive her of what he can afford?” He took care to keep his volume down. “He originally restricted his budget to twenty million yuan, but he didn’t quite stop there… I’m not sure how much he spent in the end.”

“How generous of him.” One corner of Ke Liuyi’s smile turned mocking.

“He is. He’s usually more conservative about spending, but not when it comes to her. Heavens, I’ve never seen a man splurge so much before.” If this was what love made people do, it was scary.

Ke Liuyi’s breaths were turning shallow with fury. Eager to push the image of them kissing from her mind, she turned and walked away.

As Tang Qiu was trying on the rest of the jewelry, Jiang Shaocheng said quietly out of the blue, “Qiu, you can’t leave me just because others treat you better in the future. Understand?”

Tang Qiu glared at him. “You’re spouting nonsense again. Do you think I’m choosing to stay with you for a couple of presents?”

Jiang Shaocheng cupped her face, as if to soothe away the anger creasing her features. “Definitely not. I know how much you like me. When I recover, can we have a few babies together? Can we?”

At the notion, Tang Qiu broke her gaze and dropped her chin in embarrassment. “It’s not like it’s my decision alone.”

Was that a yes??Jiang Shaocheng ran his eyes over her rosy lips. How he wished he could pin her to the bed and get to the task this instant.